Gallery 1 Gallery 2 Gallery 3 Gallery 4
Sawankhalok 14th century.
 Lidded box with knob handle, made in
Thailand 14th century.
Stoneware, light grey body , grey celadon over a white slip brush decoration.
H. 11.0.cm; Diam.11.5 cm,
These delightful boxes with their loose almost abstract brush work have all the qualities that Bernard Leach found so attractive. Consummate skill with out ego The pots of this area were long over looked by collectors. I include this example because it was a pot similar to this that is said to have been the inspiration for the following marmalade jar by Bernard Leach,
Part of what I hope to illustrate with this section of the web-site, is to put into context the references that artists, (in this case potters), are influenced by and how they assimilate from earlier traditions. Modifying and interpreting forms that had a different use or purpose.
Private Collection
Bernard Leach 1987 - 1979
 Lidded marmalade jar, Made in St Ives in the mid 60's

Porcelain, Celadon glaze with thin cobalt wash,iron brush work.
Impressed St Ives seal and BL painted signature. .
H. 11.0.cm; Diam.10.0 cm.
This form of lidded pot was made by Bernard Leach in a number of sizes and with different methods of decoration. The marmalade version is I feel the most satisfactory, perhaps because it is so close to the Sawankhalok piece, which has a rightness of proportion that evolved over a number of years of manufacture. A similar conclusion can be drawn from the proportions of Jinan teabowls..Sometimes things are just right.
This piece was most probably not thrown by Bernard only decorated by him.
Private Collection

Phil Rogers 1951 -
 Lidded box made at Marston Pottery, Wales, 1997

Porcelain, Blue/green celadon glaze, impressed repeated diamond pattern.
Impressed Phil Rogers personal seal.
H. 10.0 cm: Diam 11.0 cm,

This porcelain box by Phil Rogers again illustrates the hidden proportions required for this form to be right. I am sure that the potter also takes his starting position from the Sawankhalok piece, but again by his own creative input and skills comes up with a most satisfying interpretation, quiet and understated. This pot has a presence every bit as powerful as the original Sawankhalok box.

Private Collection

David Leach 1911 - 2005
 Lidded box, made at Bovey Tracey, Devon 1998

Porcelain, with a jade green celadon, narrow fluting, Impressed David Leach's personal seal.
H.16.25 cm: Diam 15.0 cm,

A wonderful porcelain lidded box from David Leach, this piece is again an example of a potter inspired by the Sawankhalok form, possibly the one in his father's collection, certainly he would have thrown many of the St Ives marmalade jars for Bernard Leach to decorate. But here many years on from his time at the St Ives Pottery, he again produces the form, but this time embellishes it with his individual style of fluting. A style of decoration that he made his own.

Private Collection USA
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