A Potter's Book - Softcover

Leach, Bernard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0571283675 ISBN 13: 9780571283675

Publisher: Faber & Faber, 2011

Synopsis

'I have tried to formulate a criterion by which good pots may be judged.. a pot in order to be good should be a genuine expression of life. It implies sincerity on the part of the potter and truth in the conception and execution of the work.'

Bernard Leach (1887-1979) is generally reckoned to be the 'father of British studio pottery.' Born in Hong Kong, profoundly influenced by both an upbringing and studies in Japan, Leach developed a vision of pottery that interwove art, craft, design and philosophy. In 1920 he co-founded the Leach Pottery in St Ives, Cornwall, and A Potter's Book was first published in 1940. Within these pages Leach communicates his deeply-held convictions, through an account of the standards and materials essential to English slipware, stoneware, Japanese raku and Oriental porcelain.

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About this title

About the Author:

Bernard Leach (1887-1979) was one of the most influential figures in twentieth-century pottery. Born in Hong Kong and brought up in Japan, Hong Kong and England, he trained at the London School of Art and moved to Japan in 1909, where he studied pottery techniques. In 1920 on his return to England he founded the Leach Pottery with Shoji Hamada in St Ives, Cornwall. His best-known work, A Potter's Book, was first published in 1940.

Review:

“With his writings as well as with his ceramics, Leach played a major role in elevating the status of the European potter from craftsman to artist, thereby paving the way for the twentieth-century studio pottery movement.” (New York Times)

"This updated edition of the classic by Leach (British potter and teacher) belongs on every ceramist’s bookshelf. Minor text changes, a look at Leach’s impact on the West, and numerous color photographs make this an even more valuable resource than the 1940 original.
Highly recommended." (Choice)

"This fine new edition of A Potter’s Book, first published in 1940, shows representative images of his work (and sometimes his son David’s) alongside Japanese or Korean wares made from similar bodies or using similar glazes. It is always easy to spot the Leach." (Times Literary Supplement)

About this edition

• Publisher: Faber & Faber
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0571283675
• ISBN 13: 9780571283675
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 374