In 1920 the Leach Pottery was started by Bernard Leach and his Japanese friend, Shoji Hamada, a mile up the hill from the centre of the town of St. Ives in Cornwall. There by the Stennack stream, in what was then countryside, they built the first traditional Japanese wood-fired three chambered climbing kiln to be seen in this country. Despite many problems, including the absence of a local supply of timber, the pottery continued in production until early in the 21st century.
Stennack near the pottery 
Inside the pottery 2019
This Harlequin Gallery exhibition will consist of ceramics made at the pottery, together with examples made by potters associated with the Leach Pottery. We thought it appropriate for the Harlequin to attempt to pay homage to the pottery that marked the beginning of the studio pottery movement in this country. To this end we have brought together a selection of work by what we consider to be the best and most significant potters that worked at the Leach Pottery over the years for your consideration.
The exhibition was planned to open on Friday 3rd April in the usual manner but was postponed because of the current situation.
Following careful consideration, it has to been decided that, for the foreseeable future, exhibitions will take place online but it is hoped that viewing/collection can be arranged by appointment.
To this end we have decided to stagger the exhibition with ten pots being added to the “Recent Acquisitions” section of the website from 11 am (BST) on consecutive Mondays as follows:-
Monday 15 June – William Marshall
Monday 22 June – Janet Leach
Monday 29 June – Bernard Leach and Leach pottery
Monday 6 July – Beano & Batterham
Monday 13 July – David Leach
Monday 20 July – Japanese potters
Monday 27 July – More Leach potters
So How Will It Work?
At the specified time, the pots, with their exhibition code, will appear simultaneously with an image, description, dimensions, and price as normally appear on the Recent Acquisitions page. From that point sales and enquiries will be dealt with on a first come, first served basis. You will need to use the contact page to buy or enquire and I have prepared a series of larger images of each item that can be sent to you, as you require. All prices quoted exclude postage/shipping. Options of getting pots to you can be discussed, as can the possibility of viewing/collecting from us here in S. E. London.
When contacting us once the online exhibition is underway, it would be helpful if you referred to the pot in question by its exhibition code e.g. AB1.
Until then, if you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch.
Bernard Leach 
William “Bill” Marshall – big and smaller 
Shigeyoshi Ichino at the Leach Pottery c1970. 
Janet Leach “Bizen – style” pots made at the Leach Pottery 
Leach Pottery stoneware vase with brushwork decoration 
Bill Marshall – A Kind of Blue 
David Leach earthenware vase at the Lowerdown Pottery c 1957
Monday 27 July – Other Leach potters