John Leach, eldest grandson of renowned potter Bernard Leach and son of David Leach, continues the family tradition at Muchelney Pottery on the edge of the ancient village of Muchelney in the heart of the Somerset Levels. Muchelney kitchen pots are used daily in kitchens all over the world, but the pottery is still very much a small family business.
The pots are all lovingly hand-thrown, using local clays, and wood-fired in the three-chambered kiln to the high stoneware temperature of 1320°C, which creates their distinctive 'toasted' finish. On behalf of his family and the pottery crew, it is with great sadness we inform you that John Leach passed away.
The pots are all lovingly hand-thrown, using local clays, and wood-fired in the three-chambered kiln to the high stoneware temperature of 1320°C, which creates their distinctive 'toasted' finish. On behalf of his family and the pottery crew, it is with great sadness we inform you that John Leach passed away.
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Muchelney Pottery was established in 1965 by John Leach and his wife Lizzie. John set up the Pottery having trained with his grandfather Bernard, and his father David to continue the tradition of high quality handmade ceramics. John with Nick Rees, were the core team for many years along with students who came to learn the craft of working with clay.
Muchelney wood-fired kitchenware pots are ideal for oven-to-table cooking. They can be used in microwave ovens, are dishwasher safe, durable and retain their heat amazingly well. The pots' exteriors are left unglazed allowing the flames in the kiln to produce their distinctive Muchelney 'toasted' texture and colour.
This is a specially chosen selection of my one-off signed exhibition pots. Each pot has been handmade by me, is impressed with my personal seal and comes with a signed provenance card. If you would like to know more about any of these pieces or wish to purchase one please phone or email me and I will be pleased to answer any questions.
When was Muchelney Pottery first opened? John and Lizzie Leach established the pottery in 1965, 51 years ago. Who are the Muchelney Potters? Master potters John Leach, Nick Rees and Mark Melbourne make up the pottery crew - they have approximately 120 years of experience between them in the craft of pottery.
The John Leach Gallery was built adjacent to the existing shop in 2003 and opened in 2004 with an exhibition of Marc Chagall. The gallery hosts a programme of exhibitions through the year and is keen to support West Country artists and craft workers. In addition to the guest artists there is a permanent display of the latest signed ceramics by John Leach, Nick Rees and Mark Melbourne.
Reviews (8)
Michael Cochran
Nov 25, 2021
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Mike Martin
Aug 10, 2021
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Sad that our long-time favourite potter, John Leach, has passed away at the age of 82. We have bought and used his pots for more than 4 decades, and it is sad that we will no longer be able to add to our beautiful works of creation by this gentle, humerous man. The pottery site itself I am will sure continue under his legacy, and our thoughts are with Lizzie his wife.
David P.
Apr 15, 2021
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Dan G.
Aug 10, 2019
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Joe J.
Sep 18, 2018
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Visited this place along with some family friends. Some of the pottery was quite handsome, though certainly out of our price range. I enjoyed looking at the art, and I bought two postcards of the art.
Some of us then went to sit down in the courtyard outside while a friend talked to one of the potters. Then, rather abruptly, the lady who'd served me in the shop leant out of the shop window and shouted at us, first at my friend asking her to leave the kiln shed, effectively stopping her speaking to the potter. She then continued to shout asking all of us to leave the courtyard for no apparent reason
Some of us then went to sit down in the courtyard outside while a friend talked to one of the potters. Then, rather abruptly, the lady who'd served me in the shop leant out of the shop window and shouted at us, first at my friend asking her to leave the kiln shed, effectively stopping her speaking to the potter. She then continued to shout asking all of us to leave the courtyard for no apparent reason
Sally & Geoff Walker
Sep 06, 2017
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Laura Spicer
Jun 15, 2017
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Sally McEachen
Jun 14, 2017
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