Richard Godfrey (1949-2014), British studio pottery earthenware bowl, c1990

Size:  19.5 cm across rim. External depth 7.5 cm

Condition: Excellent condition, no chips cracks or restoration.  Some clean craze lines as expected with earthenware

This is a great piece by Richard Godfrey, in his typical and inimitable style.  The bowl is wheel thrown in pale clay, with two separate pieces joined, turned, and coloured glazes skilfully applied using an airbrush with further hand painting, and the whole is finished in a tin glaze.
The glazes and patterns used by Richard in his work were the result of painstaking experiment and research, and observation of the natural world, which he synthesised into his painted patterns.

Richard Godfrey (1949 – 2014) made ceramics in his studio at Battisborough Cross, Devon England.  He graduated from Bristol School of Art in 1972 having been taught by Gillian Lowndes.  From 1973 to 1981 he was Head of Art and Deputy Headmaster at Battisborough International School, Devon, which was founded by Kurt Hahn. Having set up his first workshop, he made production thrown ware for Cranks restaurant. Godfrey was a fellow of the Craft Potters Association and known primarily for his brightly coloured earthenware pottery which used composite underglaze patterns.  He won the Bronze award at the European Ceramics Competition in Athens 2004 and at the Art in Clay festival in 2013 he was voted winner of the Valentine Clays Peers Award for best contribution to the festival. He lectured, demonstrated and exhibited widely and was the subject of two television documentaries.

Godfrey's work combined thrown and hand built forms made with white earthenware clay, inspired by observing his surroundings and found objects.  Potter Hannah McAndrew described his work as "bright beasts, immaculately made, vibrant and smiling”.