A striking Raku vase by renowned British potter John Bedding, featuring a distinctive shaped edge and impressed maker’s mark. Created during the 1980s, this piece showcases Bedding’s exploration of low-fired and Raku techniques developed at his Trencrom studio near St Ives.
John Bedding began his journey in pottery at the age of 17, captivated by its fusion of art, craft, and chemistry. After training at a small pottery in South London, he moved to St Ives in the late 1960s and became an apprentice at the famed Leach Pottery. There, he worked alongside Bernard Leach, eventually joining the staff.
In 1979, Bedding deepened his understanding of traditional techniques during his time at the Ichino pottery in Japan—a formative experience that had a lasting influence on his work. During the 1980s, he established his own studios in Penzance and later Trencrom, where he focused on innovative firing methods, including Raku.
In 1990, he founded St Ives Ceramics, which continues to showcase both his own work and an acclaimed collection of 20th-century studio pottery.
Bedding’s contributions to British ceramics were further recognized in 1994 when he became only the second potter to exhibit at Tate St Ives. A key figure in the restoration of the Leach Pottery, he served as a trustee until 2013 and was named Honorary Lead Potter that same year. In 2017, he was honored as Honorary Potter, celebrating his lifelong dedication to the Leach legacy and his mastery of the craft.
H: 18cm (7") D: 15cm (6")