Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 143, The Timothy Sainsbury Gallery

Dish

1983 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Stoneware, covered with an opaque white slip glaze with combed incised decoration.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brown stoneware with an opaque white glaze and finger-incised decoration
Brief description
Stoneware, covered with an opaque white slip glaze with combed incised decoration. Made by Warren MacKenzie. USA, 1983
Physical description
Stoneware, covered with an opaque white slip glaze with combed incised decoration.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 47.5cm
  • Height: 12.0cm
  • Weight: 6.130kg
Credit line
Given by Mr & Mrs Robert McClure via the British American Art Association
Object history
Given by Mr & Mrs Robert McClure via the British American Art Association. Was part of a gift of 42 pieces from various American private collectors.
Historical context
Warren Mackenzie trained under Bernard Leach at St Ives, Cornwall, between 1950 and 1952. He was one of the main instigators in the United States for the establishment of production potteries for functional ware based on the ideals of Leach. '...Vitality of form is not limited because (a pot) will be used during a meal. The craft of pottery is dependent upon the physical contact of the observer, and in handling, washing, drinking from...' [quote taken from American Potters today].

In his memoires (Beyond East and West), Bernard Leach noted that MacKenzie sold pots that were affordable and intended for use.
Bibliographic references
  • Garth Clark and Oliver Watson, American Potters Today, V&A, 1986
  • J. Reeve, 'Warren MacKenzie and the Straight Pot', Craft Horizons, June 1976
  • Bernard Leach, Beyond East and West. Memoirs, Portraits and Essays, Faber and Faber, 1978
  • Marion Whybrow, The Leach Legacy. St Ives Pottery and its Influence, Sansom & Comapny, 1996
  • David Lewis. Warren MacKenzie: American Potter
  • Warren Mackenzie: Legacy of an American Potter, exhibition catalogue, Rochester Minnesota Art Center, 2007
Collection
Accession number
C.45-1986

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Record createdApril 24, 2008
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