Auction boosts Leach pottery fund

Kate Malone's Mother Pumpkin II sold for £2,200

A ceramics auction has raised £40,000 towards restoring the Cornish studio of one of the world's most famous potters.

Bernard Leach set up his pottery in St Ives in 1920 which helped establish Britain's ceramic art worldwide.

Restoration work is nearly complete and money from the sale will go towards fitting out the new pottery studios.

The sale at Bonhams in London featured work provided by a group of international potters who acknowledge the influence of Leach on their work.

'Personal satisfaction'

The sale total of £40,000 will all go the Leach Pottery Restoration Fund as Bonhams did not make any charge or add a premium.

Works sold included Kate Malone's Mother Pumpkin II which sold for £2,200 and David Roberts' Counterpoint Vessel which fetched £2,300.

Marijke Jones, head of contemporary ceramics at Bonhams, said: "This project has given me great personal satisfaction.

"Bonhams is delighted to be able to contribute in some small way to the restoration of Bernard Leach's Pottery."

The European Regional Development Fund awarded £500,000 towards the restoration work.

Other money towards the £1.7m cost of the work has come from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Arts Council, Cornwall County Council and Penwith District Council.

Bernard Leach set up his pottery in St Ives in 1920

Lady Carol Holland from the Bernard Leach Trust said: "It is tremendous to have so many highly respected potters contributing to this auction.

"This is testament to the memory and ethos of Bernard Leach and the money raised will help us create and support the final requirements for this invaluable restoration project."

Bernard Leach was born in 1899 in Hong Kong. He spent many years in Japan, before his work made him internationally famous because of its oriental style.

He became a leading pioneer of hand-made pottery at a time when England knew only industrial methods. He died in 1979.

A series of special events are planned for the opening on 6 March when guests will include the Japanese Ambassador His Excellency Mr Yoshiji Nogami, who is coming to Cornwall specially for the launch.