School of Art

Contact Details

School of Art
Aberystwyth University
Buarth Mawr
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
SY23 1NG

Tel: +44 (0)1970 622460

Fax: +44 (0)1970 622461

Email: artschool@aber.ac.uk

Display artist/maker:

Winchcombe Pottery

Born: UK, England, Cheltenham   Active: 1926-

In 1926 Michael Cardew rented an old pottery near Cheltenham that was to become known as Winchcombe Pottery. With the help of Elijah Comfort and Sidney Tustin he restarted the pottery, with the objective of making earthenware for everyday use at an affordable price. With the original pottery dating back to the early 1800s, Winchcombe Pottery is one of the longest-running craft potteries in the UK.

In the 1920s and 30s, they produced red earthenware, slip-decorated in warm browns and yellows inspired by earlier traditions. They fired in the old and very large, bottle kiln. The collection at Aberystwyth has a fine range of work from this period.

When Cardew left to set up a new pottery at Wenford Bridge, Ray Finch took over and eventually bought the pottery in 1947. He spent the next ten years modernising the works and eventually adapting it to make stoneware. He continued to work with Sidney Tustin and others, including his sons Joe Finch and Mike Finch, Eddie Hopkins and Dave Wilson.

Objects in the collections associated with this artist/maker

[Jug] C1381 Ceramics

[Rectangular dish] C1383 Ceramics

[Vase] C1382 Ceramics



 
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