British Studio Ceramics Collection
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Coffee pot by Carol McNicoll
© Carol McNicoll
We have one of the most important collections of British Studio Ceramics in the country.
Our collection contains over 320 pieces, representing the work of most major potters working in Britain in the 20th century, from Bernard Leach and Michael Cardew to Carol McNicoll and Rupert Spira.
Our on-line collection
We have an on-line database with photos that you can view on the Internet. This has been produced to provide knowledge of and access to the collection.
.jpg "Earthenware jug by Sophie MacCarthy")
Earthenware jug by Sophie MacCarthy
Central to the idea of studio ceramics is the relationship between the potter and their work. Unlike the segmented production of ceramics made in a factory, studio potters are involved in every stage of making a pot, from design to production. As the term studio ceramics suggests the scale of production is small and intimate. Rather than being mass-produced, each piece is a unique work of art crafted from clay.
British studio potters have used a wide range of styles and techniques, from the delicate pinched porcelain forms of Mary Rogers to the angular slab-built pots of Ian Auld. Our spectacular collection of studio ceramics highlights and celebrates the diversity of this rich tradition. It was begun in the 1960s by the Curator Christopher Gowing, who often purchased pieces directly from potters, as well as from well-known dealers and craft galleries. The collection is particularly strong in works from the 1960s, including one of the largest public collections of Ruth Duckworth.
Seeing the collection
The collection is not currently on display in the main museum, but can be seen by appointment at the Museum Resource Centre, Halton, please contact the Keeper of Art on 01296 624519 or email museum@buckscc.gov.uk
For more information call 01296 331441 or email museum@buckscc.gov.uk
