The Craft of the Potter
Five programmes in which leading potters show their techniques and share their ideas, with a look at ceramics past and present.
Presented by Michael Casson. He is described as one of the greatest figures in post-war pottery and is often portrayed as the person who brought pottery to the masses.
Episodes5
Clay and hand-building
What is clay and how do you prepare it? Potter Mary Rogers shows how she makes pinch, coil and slab pots, and we look at some ancient pre-Columbian hand-built pottery.
Throwing
David Leach throws porcelain on a kick wheel, Michael Casson throws stoneware on a power wheel; with a look at some ancient pottery from Greece and China.
Decorating
Alan Caiger-Smith and Eileen Nisbet show how to incise, apply clay and use slip, and Alan demonstrates wax resist. Plus a look at some ancient Persian pottery.
Glaze and Fire
Lynne Reeve shows how to make and modify glazes; Walter Keeler explains some of the mysteries of kilns and firing; with a look at some ancient Chinese pottery.
Talking about Pots
Michael Cardew, with a gallery-owner and a collector, talk about their favourite pots, with recordings of Leach and Hamada at work.