David Leach (1911-2005)

David Leach (1911-2005)

Lidded cylindrical jar, porcelain with celadon crackle glaze.

Marked with both David Leach and Lowerdown pottery marks.

David Leach was born in Tokyo in 1911, eldest son of Bernard Leach. He was first taught pottery by Shoji Hamada before coming to England in 1920 for his education. He joined his father at the Leach pottery in St Ives in 1930 where after apprenticeship under his father and further education he eventually managed the pottery on and off for twenty-five years, modernising processes and partnering his father with standard ware which kept the pottery afloat.

In 1955 he left Leach Pottery and set up Lowerdown after briefly setting Alesford Pottery the year before. It is probably no coincidence that his leaving was preceded by the arrival of his fathers second wife Janet Leach who reluctantly took over his position at the Leach Pottery.

Lowerdown allowed David more freedom from the standard productions of the Leach Pottery and he began using porcelain decorated with celadon glazes so typical of his later work.

He exhibited widely in the UK, USA and Japan, his works are represented in many public collections.