Tea Set — Stainless Steel

David Mellor is a towering figure in British design, especially in the realm of cutlery, where he helped redefine what flatware could be. Born in Sheffield in 1930, Mellor trained as a silversmith and made his mark early with Pride, a silver-plate tableware set designed while still a student, which remains in production.

His ambition was to raise standards across both craft and industry. In the 1960s he began designing stainless steel cutlery in volume—his Symbol line for Walker & Hall was among the first high-quality stainless sets manufactured in the UK. He went on to win numerous government contracts, supplying cutlery for hospitals, railways, and institutional canteens, reducing place settings to a functional five pieces without sacrificing elegance. Among his celebrated collections is the Provencal cutlery series combining stainless steel with resin handles and brass rivets, offered in black, green, and rosewood tones. This line emphasizes Mellor’s philosophy of marrying utility, aesthetic restraint, and accessibility.