John Leach: Shop
John Leach was born in 1939 at the Leach Pottery in St Ives, and started his potter’s training with his father, David, in 1957 at Lowerdown. John began making his own characteristically robust personal pieces in 1983. He was inspired by other cultures and times; he loved medieval forms and pots of the Appalachian Way. He spent time in Alaska, Denmark, Sweden, USA, Jamaica and Africa. His time in Nigeria was especially resonant and had a later influence on some of his ‘Black Mood’ pots; these were fired in a saggar filled with sawdust to create dark clay bodies with serendipitous organic lines. No two pieces are the same and they are prized items in collections around the world.
John’s individual pieces showcased here were included in our 2025 Exhibition: Muchelney Pottery: 60 Years Strong.
Black Mood round vase with Impressed decoration (2006) made by John Leach at Muchelney Pottery
Height: 16cm x Diameter (widest part): 15cm x Diameter (base): 5.5cm
Weight: 0.84kg
Black Mood small bowl (2018) made by John Leach at Muchelney Pottery
Height: 5cm x Diameter (base): 11.5cm
Weight: 0.30kg
Indented bottle with Sgraffito decoration (2009) made by John Leach at Muchelney Pottery
Height: 19.5cm x Diameter (widest part): 12.5cm x Diameter (base): 7cm
Weight: 1.23kg
Medium charger with wax resist decoration (2004) made by John Leach at Muchelney Pottery
Height: 4.5cm x Diameter (top): 26cm
Weight: 0.98kg
Large dish with wax decoration (2010) made by John Leach at Muchelney Pottery
Height: 6.5cm x Diameter (top): 31.5cm
Weight: 1.5kg
Black Mood small dish with loop handles (2018) made by John Leach at Muchelney Pottery
Height: 2.5cm x Diameter (top): 16cm
Weight: 0.40kg
Large fluted bowl (2009) made by John Leach at Muchelney Pottery
Height: 12cm x Diameter (top): 19cm x Diameter (base): 13cm
Weight: 1.8kg
Small bottle with ash glaze decoration (2018) made by John Leach at Muchelney Pottery
Height: 14.5cm x Diameter (base): 5.5cm
Weight: 0.54kg
Small bellied bottle with handle (2009) made by John Leach at Muchelney Pottery
Height: 14cm x Diameter (widest part): 10.5cm x Diameter (base): 5cm
Weight: 0.61kg
Lugged oval dish with wax resist decoration (2017) made by John Leach at Muchelney Pottery
Height: 6cm x Length (inc. handles): 28cm x Width: 19cm
Weight: 1.3kg
Tall pitcher (2016) made by John Leach at Muchelney Pottery
Height: 42cm x Diameter (widest part): 17cm x Diameter (top): 9.5cm
Weight: 4.9kg