Susie Cooper, born 29 October 1902, was a prolific English ceramic designer working in the Stoke-on-Trent pottery industries from the 1920s to the 1980s.   

On leaving school she enrolled at the Burslem School of Art where she won a scholarship for full-time study.  The Superintendent of Art Education in the Potteries spotted her talent and advised her to work at A.E. Gray & Co. Ltd., which she did starting as a piecework paintress.  She quickly established herself and went on to designing and, indeed, was given the honour of having her name appear on the ware she had designed.

Susie Cooper left Gray’s Pottery in 1929 and with £4000 capital from her family set up her own business with her brother-in-law, Jack Beeson, as a partner and was extremely successful. During the 1930s she attained international acclaim with her designs being exhibited at trade fairs and design exhibitions, as well as in major department stores.  Her work was so popular and so highly sought after that by 1933 she employed over forty paintresses.  In 1940 she was awarded the accolade, “Royal Designer for Industry”, the first time the award had been made solely for pottery design. 

After a long and accomplished career, there are a wide range of Susie Cooper wares to collect.  Either the bright, vibrant, Art Deco patterns of the 1920s and 1930s, or the delicate pastel designs; earthenware or china, whatever style you collect there is something for everyone.