The Potter’s Pick is our monthly maker highlight, chosen by potter John Bedding, founder of St Ives Ceramics.
For our August Potter’s Pick John has chosen Leach Pottery standard ware.
John Bedding on this month’s Potter’s Pick:
“I chose the “Leach Pottery Standard-ware” this month because from its original inception it has evolved and morphed into one of the best examples of studio domestic-ware to be seen. When the original Leach Pottery closed after years of neglect, it reopened after a complete renovation and with a new energy in 2008. It was then decided to design a new range of standard domestic-ware fit for modern life. The brief was that it needed to be distinctive from the original standard-ware, whilst sticking to the principles and philosophy of Bernard Leach; the foremost of these being the beauty of the pot is derived from function and repetition. A further consideration was that the shapes be easily translatable in the making, as it was to be also used as a training tool by the various students working in the workshop. This was continuing the practice of Bernard Leach in the training of a new generation of potters.
What has evolved has been designed not on the drawing board but from a democracy of ideas made with practicality and simplicity in mind. The range is not extensive but is targeted at the most useful pots for everyday use. The pots are sturdy, ergonomic, and tactile in the hand, and without any non-essential artifice. There is a timeless quality in the ware that needs never to fit into the vagaries of fashion, and is suited to compliment and be on show in anyone’s home.
On a practical note the pots are made from stoneware clay dug from a local pit near St Agnes. They are then fired in a gas kiln under a reducing atmosphere which brings out the quality in the clay and glazes.
I chose the “Leach Pottery Standard-ware” this month because from its original inception it has evolved and morphed into one of the best examples of studio domestic-ware to be seen. When the original Leach Pottery closed after years of neglect, it reopened after a complete renovation and with a new energy in 2008. It was then decided to design a new range of standard domestic-ware fit for modern life. The brief was that it needed to be distinctive from the original standard-ware, whilst sticking to the principles and philosophy of Bernard Leach; the foremost of these being the beauty of the pot is derived from function and repetition. A further consideration was that the shapes be easily translatable in the making, as it was to be also used as a training tool by the various students working in the workshop. This was continuing the practice of Bernard Leach in the training of a new generation of potters.
What has evolved has been designed not on the drawing board but from a democracy of ideas made with practicality and simplicity in mind. The range is not extensive but is targeted at the most useful pots for everyday use. The pots are sturdy, ergonomic, and tactile in the hand, and without any non-essential artifice. There is a timeless quality in the ware that needs never to fit into the vagaries of fashion, and is suited to compliment and be on show in anyone’s home.
On a practical note the pots are made from stoneware clay dug from a local pit near St Agnes. They are then fired in a gas kiln under a reducing atmosphere which brings out the quality in the clay and glazes.”
— JOHN BEDDING, 2026
Receive 10% off Leach Pottery standard ware online or in the gallery until the 3oth September.
Use the online code: Potter’s Pick at checkout.
If you’d like more information about available pieces or to explore our collections, our team is always happy to assist.
Visit us at our gallery in St Ives, Cornwall, or get in touch by phone or email — we’ll ensure you find exactly what you’re looking for.