A beautifully striking one off studio pottery vessel, made by John Leach in his 'Black Mood' range. This piece was fired within a saggar, to starve the clay of oxygen and turn it black, the white pattern around the outside is caused by the sawdust within the saggar, meaning each pot will be individual.
 
John Leach is the eldest son of David Leach and the eldest grandson of Bernard Leach. He was born at Pottery Cottage at the Leach Pottery in St Ives in 1939. He studied under his grandfather and father at St Ives, under Colin Pearson and Byron Temple at Aylesford and under Ray Finch at Winchcombe.
 
In 1983 John started to make one-off studio pieces in a range of styles. Notable amongst these is the 'Black Mood' range; very different from John's bread-and-butter pottery, and very striking. In recent years John has lectured and staged demonstrations in Europe, Scandinavia, North America and the West Indies. He is a big, striking man; friendly, communicative and with a keen sense of humour.
 
Conscious of his debt to the environment, John has planted 4,000 broadleaf trees on his land and has established a one acre pond sanctuary for wildlife and vegitation.
Stamped to the base JHL Muchelney 05.