Product
From the beginning, Heath Ceramic products have earned a reputation for durability, functionality, and good design. With a wide range of continually developing colors, textures, and styles the dinnerware easily moves from daily use to Sunday best.
During the first five years Heath produced twelve core pieces: a six piece place setting, two serving bowls, creamer, sugar bowl, salt and pepper shakers, and a platter. They later added the teapot and ashtray as well as casseroles in five sizes. In response to her creative whims and market demands Edith developed innovative pieces and lines to add to the collection. Among the most popular are the Coupe, Sausalito and Rim lines. She also produced a line of sushi ware, a buffet service, in addition to requests for custom pieces. In 1965 the Heath’s worked with Wedgwood Potteries in Stoke-on-Trent, England to develop a line of Heath design ware made with Wedgwood clays and glazes. This line was never produced however prototypes exist.
The iconic Heath ashtray resulted from Brian’s desire to have an ashtray that would hold his cigarette while he was on the phone. He found a bowl before it was fired and cut the V-shaped notches into the edge. The shape of the notch ensures a cigarette will go out rather than burning through the notch and falling outside the ashtray. The Seattle Fire Marshal dubbed these “safety” ashtrays and required public buildings in the city to use Heath ashtrays. People gave the ashtrays as hostess gifts and wedding presents, and it was widely used in publicity photographs for architects and design magazine photo spreads.