Hornsea "Contour"

Hornsea Contour was introduced in 1980 and used the well known Contrast shape, one of Hornsea Pottery’s most successful oven to table forms. Brian Heckford describes the range as being similar to Contrast, but with a wide tan band around the base of the pots and around the rims of lids and plates. The range carried mark 21 and shared the same strong, practical shape family that made Contrast so popular.

That familiar shape gives Contour its confident, modern feel. Like Hornsea Contrast, the pieces have a clean, purposeful look, with the broad banding doing much of the decorative work. In Contour, however, the use of mustard or ochre tones gives the range a slightly warmer and softer appearance than the black banding more often associated with Contrast. The result is a design that still feels bold, but a little less stark, and very much at home in a 1970s or early 1980s setting.

Although Contour did not remain in production for as long as Contrast, it was made across a generous spread of dinner, tea and coffee pieces, together with serving ware and oven to table items. That variety is part of its appeal today, as collectors and long time owners can often build up an attractive and practical set over time. A few small details also add interest, including the note that the saucer has been seen inset with a horseman in white relief.

As a discontinued Hornsea Pottery range, Contour is now mainly found through the pre-loved market and is often sought by customers looking for replacement china to complete, extend or match an existing set. Availability can vary by piece, particularly across lidded items, serving pieces and the larger oven to table shapes, so it is always worth checking back if you are looking for something specific.

When matching Contour replacement pieces, it helps to look closely at the banding and shape. The pieces are closely related to Contrast, but the warmer tan or mustard border is the clearest identifier, giving Contour its own character within Hornsea’s wider family of tableware designs.