andrew hazelden

THE YARNTON POTTERY, OXFORDSHIRE

Established in 2006 by ceramicist Andrew Hazelden, the Yarnton Pottery specialises in unique one-off pottery and hand-painted glazes.

The pottery is based in a former blacksmiths workshop, opposite the thatched house where he once lived.

Andrew studied ceramics at the Epsom School of Art and Design, and has worked with renowned ceramicists Mary Wondrausch and Alan Caiger-Smith. He learned the technique of tin glaze earthenware and reduction fired lustre at the Aldermaston Pottery in Berkshire.

GLAZES & CLAY

Using a blend of Italian Duruta and a Spencroft clay, Andrew hand-paints the oxides onto the tin glaze in the maiolica tradition.

Tin oxide has been used as a whitener in glazes since ninth century Persia and lustreware also has its roots in this period. These two techniques travelled through Spain and the rest of Europe becoming popular in England around the eighteenth century. 

Andrew is now also producing reduction fired lustreware. Using silver and copper paste this technique needs a reduction of oxygen during the firing to create the iridescent surface . 

“Here the senses are all awakened – the smooth touch of the tin glaze, the ungainly mass of clay yet to be formed, the surprising weight and balance of each piece of work, the glint from the lustreware flickering like inner flame, the beautiful calligraphic brushwork combining word and image”

— Eve Lockett

FONT BOWLS

Views of the Yarnton Pottery. Made by the British Museum film crew.

To buy or commission a piece from the Yarton Pottery, see How to Buy , or email Andrew.