Iberian Lighting x Ashdown Pottery Collaboration

Located in a small studio in the Ashdown Forest, Bill and Anthea of Ashdown Pottery are equally devoted to capturing the wonder of the world around them through their growing range of beautiful pots, bowls, and – now – lamp bases. Our collaboration with them sought to highlight the ethos of both businesses: handmade, quality products that draw inspiration from history and antiquity, as well as shapes that mirror the wonderful Sussex landscapes and the nature around us. 

The Ashdown Forest is a place that is steeped in creative and literary influence. It served as the inspiration for A.A. Milne’s creation of the iconic and beloved Hundred Acre Wood, and the area's natural beauty – its rolling heathland, ancient woodland, and tranquil atmosphere – has long sparked the imagination of writers, artists, and visitors. The forest also contains a sense of emotional connection and nostalgia for Iberian Lighting. Les Allitt, the company’s managing director, and Tom Acciarini, the business and marketing manager, both have emotional connections to the Ashdown Forest, having grown up and worked there respectively over their years.

The first hurdle of setting up a collaboration between creatives is striking the perfect balance between inspiration and concession: Bill and Anthea came to Iberian to get a better look at what it is that we create, and with them, they brought a selection of bases that they had chosen with us in mind. 

While their pieces were undoubtedly beautiful, we all agreed that approaching the collaboration too rigidly – simply fitting one’s work into the other’s – would limit the authenticity and creative potential of the project. Instead, we committed to something more organic: a shared exploration of ideas, a blending of styles that honoured what makes each of our practices distinct. Head over to our blog HERE to read our full collaborative story.

This collection of 12 styles was launched at the 2025 Potfest in Glynde and is available for purchase here.