Product watch: Gallery Collection by Shaws of Darwen

For more than a century, Shaws of Darwen has been synonymous with craftsmanship and endurance. Black Country-founded in 1897, the company remains the UK’s oldest manufacturer of traditional Butler sinks still in operation. Its sinks, hand-shaped from a unique blend of French and English ‘Devon Ball’ clay, have long stood as symbols of utility and quiet elegance.

Now, with the launch of the Gallery Collection, that timeless canvas is being reimagined. Shaws of Darwen is bringing a decorative flourish to the venerable Butler sink, without compromising the integrity or durability that defines its heritage.

Shaws of Darwen Butler 800 Sink with Gallery Elements Design in Blue | Image credit: Shaws of Darwen

The collection introduces seven designs – some abstract, others botanical – that transform the front panel of the sink into a statement piece. Patina, Metallic, Elements, and Linear bring modernist energy through layered textures and geometric lines, while Wild Grass, Blossom, and Eucalyptus evoke nature with fluid, hand-drawn illustrations.

A curated palette of blue, gold, silver, and sophisticated two-tone combinations such as blue/gold or silver/grey allow specifiers to coordinate with a wide variety of interiors. When finished in metallic inks, the designs shimmer with an iridescent depth that shifts subtly in changing light.

What makes this collection particularly significant is that artistry has been seamlessly integrated into a tradition of meticulous craftsmanship; each pattern is applied during the glazing process – a technique that fuses design and structure at firing temperatures of over 1,200 degrees. Unlike surface decoration, the motifs are permanent, resistant to wear, and will not fade with time.

The collection is available across five of Shaws of Darwen’s most popular models, including the Butler 600, Butler 800, Shaker Double 900, Shaker Single 800, and Double Bowl 800. Whether in a residential kitchen, a boutique hospitality project, or even a healthcare setting – areas where Shaws sinks are prized for their hygienic, anti-bacterial properties.

The hard-wearing glaze applied to every Shaws sink has been proven to reduce bacterial colonies of E-Coli and MRSA by 99.99% over a 24 hour period and were classified as Excellent in this area. Built for endurance, each sink is odour, heat, impact, chemical and dirt and stain resistant. 

Arthur Shaw, who first saw opportunity in the clay dredged from his uncle’s colliery, could hardly have imagined how his vision would endure. His instinct to elevate a by-product into an object of beauty resonates today in the Gallery Collection, which turns a functional workhorse into an artistic centrepiece.

Shaws of Darwen Gallery Wild Grass Design incorporated into island by Luxe Projects London, for Clerkenwell Design Week; finished with Perrin and Rowe Southbank taps in aged brass | Image credit: Chris Reeve

At its core, this new direction underscores a simple truth: design is as much about reinterpreting heritage as it is about innovation. Shaws of Darwen has never strayed from its founding methods – slipcasting, hand-finishing, double-glazing, and prolonged kiln firing – but with the Gallery Collection, it proves that tradition and modern artistry can coexist beautifully.

You are encouraged to see the new Gallery Collection at the House of Rohl showroom at London’s Design Centre Chelsea Harbour.

House of Rohl is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

Main image: Shaws of Darwen Gallery Wild Grass Design sink with Perrin and Rowe Southbank taps | Image credit: Chris Reeve