The Pot Book

An extraordinary survey of ceramics spanning over thirty thousand years, curated by the famed artist and writer Edmund de Waal

The history of ceramics is ingrained in the history of humankind. Among the earliest crafts to develop, ceramic artifacts date back to the late Paleolithic period, revealing the prominence of this medium in our everyday lives and those of our predecessors.

The Pot Book is a stunning survey of over 300 ceramic objects created across eras and around the world. Curated by artist and writer Edmund de Waal, the diverse selection includes jugs, vases, plates, beakers, amphorae, and more.

Entries range from the simple to the sublime: a hand-painted jug by an unnamed Chinese artisan that dates back to the third millennium BC; a delicate porcelain plate from eighteenth-century Copenhagen; a playful vase by the influential Italian designer Ettore Sottsass; contemporary artworks by Phoebe Collings-James, Theaster Gates, Simone Leigh, and Grayson Perry ; and other fascinating objects.

Each entry is represented with a dedicated full page featuring a large-scale image accompanied by key details and insightful, engaging text. Each entry is sequenced in alphabetical order by the name of the artist/potter, the school, or style, creating a grand tour through the very finest examples of the art form.

Review

Praise for the first edition:

'Sumptuous... A gorgeous tribute to the history of ceramics. If you think you don’t care about pots, this book will change your mind.' – The Times Saturday

'A wonderful new book... By the presiding genius of modern studio ceramics, Edmund de Waal ... Informative' – Royal Academy magazine

'Handsomely illustrated ... This book is like an installation where the arrangement of illustrations makes the reader look with surprised attentiveness.' – V&A Magazine

'This is a distinctly personal, even quirky selection - which is part of its appeal.' – Bloomberg News

About the Author

Edmund de Waal CBE is an artist and writer based in London. Working primarily in ceramics, de Waal’s work has been widely exhibited at such galleries and museums as the V& A and The British Museum, London; The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam; and The Frick Collection in New York. His commitment to and exploration of ceramics and the art of collecting enriches his writings on the medium, which have been published in over thirty languages.

Claudia Clare is a potter-painter whose practice is deeply informed by feminism and human rights. She trained as a painter at Camberwell College of Art, followed by an apprenticeship with Winchcombe Pottery, and gained her PhD at the University of Westminster in 2007. She is known for her large, painted slipware pots, which depict the impact of both national and international events on the lives of ordinary people. In 2023, she had her first international solo exhibition at the Centre for Contemporary Art, Warsaw.

Sam McGuire is a writer, editor, researcher and lecturer who has spent 15 years helping institutions and practitioners tell accessible, inclusive, and engaging stories about art and artists. She has worked with organisations including Courtauld Institute of Art, Kettle’s Yard, South London Gallery, Tate and William Morris Gallery.