Mark Hearld Ceramic Fowl – MHCC4

As part of Tinsmiths’ 20th Anniversary Exhibition, Paper Cut Pigeons & Brass Boots, Mark Hearld and Paul Young have collaborated on a particularly special collection of ceramics.

The pair worked together at Paul’s studio in Shenton, a converted Station Masters House right by the field on which the Battle of Bosworth took place. Paul lives in the nearby village of Measham which has a long history of pottery, with the first extraction of clay being recorded in the 13th Century. ‘Measham Ware’ or ‘Measham Bargeware’ was common in the late 19th Century and carried strong associations with canal boats and barges. Commonly seen are the sturdy teapots, decorated with a dark brown glaze with colorful motifs added onto the vessel, mostly flowers or a personalised motto for the buyer. This local style is evident in Paul’s work, both in the colours he chooses to glaze with and the shapes of the three dimensional motifs he has adopted from his local wares.

This body of work is a celebration of both makers and is a true collaboration of their skills. Paul threw the bases, created his 3D motifs and advised on glazes and structural soundness, whilst Mark hand-modeled the figures and decorated using bright glazes.