Book Reviews 
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The Teapot
The Artful Teapot
Garth Clark's newest book on the teapot was published to accompany the
major travelling show of the same name. The book offers not only the
opportunity to view many of the works in 2D, but also gives various
insights into the discourses surrounding the world of tea - a fitting
addition to the tea lover's or teapot enthusiast's library.
Teapots Transformed, Exploration of
an Object
Leslie Ferrin's publication is a tour-de-force of contemporary teapot
design. A beautifully crafted 128 page, full-color book with over 120
illustrations - a wonderful book for anyone with an interest in The
Contemporary Teapot.
The Eccentric Teapot, Four Hundred
Years of Innovation
Garth Clark takes a look at the more gregarious manifestations of that
humble but universal domestic appliance, the teapot. Far from the simpler
examples, as may e.g. be found in your average Chinese restaurant (ever
seen one with the lid attached with fishing line?), this survey of teapots
of the past four centuries covers everything from Yixing pots to the
Japanese Book of Tea, the Boston Tea Party to the famous "Suprematist
Teapot" by Kasemir Malevich.
Ceramic Design
Contemporary Porcelain : Materials,
Techniques and Expressions
Well known British author Peter Lane looks at contemporary porcelain
in Europe and elsewhere from the last 20 years and examines technical
achievements and working practices common to cermacists who work with
porcelain.
Ceramic Form
Another publication by British author Peter Lane. In this one, Lane
looks at ceramic form throughout the ages. This is a particularly useful
book for the student of ceramics, wishing to delve into the theory of
ceramic form.
Ceramics
by Ettore Sottsass, Bruno Bischofberger (Editor)
Founder of the legendary Memphis design movement. Written by Sottsass
himself, this book focuses Sottsass' ceramics created between 1956 and
today. The book includes more than 100 color photos.
Technical
Rock
Glazes, Geology and Mineral Processing for Potters
Damon Moon reviews Australian potter Steve Harrison's book on rock
glazes and mineral processes.
Porcelain
Jack Doherty's book Porcelain is a great introduction to the medium
for the budding studio potter or the serious hobby artist.
With a Little Help From My
Friends
Tom Coleman has gathered together an impressive crew of potters, who
share their experiences, knowledge and clay and glaze recipes in this
manual for the studio potter.
Substitutions for Raw Ceramic
Materials
Edouard Bastarache's book is a 'tour de force' of substitutions of raw
ceramic materials, giving clear and easy directions on substitutions
for 14 common materials.
Glazes Cone 6
Michael Bailey's publication on cone 6 glazes contains a wealth of information,
both for the novice, as well as those already familiar with this firing
range.
Mastering Cone 6 Glazes
John Hesselberth & Ron Roy give us a helping hand formulating stable
cone 6 glazes by improving glaze characteristics such as glaze fit,
stability, durability etc.
Ceramic Extruding, Inspiration and
Technique
Tom and Jean Latka's publication Ceramic Extruding, Inspiration and
Technique is a comprehensive how-to book on all aspects of extruding
clay, with knowledgeable advice on how to make your own dies, to projects
on what to do with the clay once it has been extruded.
The Potter's
Complete Book of Clay and Glazes
The classic American book on glazes and clays by James Chappel. Covers
recipes for all glaze types from low-fire to porcelain and includes
clay body recipes for just about any purpose you can think of. A must
have book.
Monographs
Carolinda Tolstoy Ceramics
Written by Ernst J. Grube, an international authority on Islamic pottery,
this richly illustrated publication puts Tolstoy's work into a historic
context.
The Mud-Pie Dilemma
John Nance's book follows the day to day struggles of American potter
Tom Coleman, who has eight weeks to make 100 pieces of work for a major
show.
Miscellaneous
Ceramics and the
Environment
Janet Mansfield's latest publication Ceramics and the Environment
is a showcase of contemporary ceramic sculpture in public and private
spaces. Artists covered range from Nino Caruso to Nina Hole.
Fioritura - The Heyday of Maiolica
This large size, hardcover volume catalogues the Berlin Maiolica Collection,
which encompasses rare and beautiful Italian maiolica from the 15th-17th
century. The book is in German, but still a must for maiolica scholars
and lovers of the genre. Bilingual review in German and English.
Ode to Japanese Pottery, Sake Cups and
Flasks
Robert Yellin takes us on a journey through the world of Japanese pottery
via the ceramic sake utensil.
Sex Pots - Eroticism in Ceramics
A well researched and well written book by Canadian ceramist Paul Mathieu.
With many surprising revelations and great images!
Getting to Know Your Toby Jug
Toby Jugs - ah, you've got to love 'em! In his book, Ron Earl tells
more about the beloved English curio.
Bernard Leach (St. Ives Potters)
Bernard Leach is seen as a pivotal figure in Western ceramics of the
20th century. In his book Bernard Leach (St. Ives Potters), Edmund De
Waal takes a critical look at Leach's life's work and legacy.
Crafting as a Business
Wendy Rosen's book Crafting as a Business is directed at those practitioners
wishing to make a living from their craft
work. This publication covers all aspects of setting up and running
a business making craft objects.
Portuguese Tiles from the National
Museum of Azulejo, Lisbon
A wonderful book on the history of Portuguese Tiles from the 15th C
to the present day by by Joao Castel-Branco Pereira. Also covers the
history of the Portuguese Tile Museum in Lisbon. This book has many
beautiful images i full color.
Videos & DVDs
Celebrating the Cycle: The Wood-Fired
Pottery of Matt Jones
Matt's pots are all functional - plates and pitchers, teapots and mugs,
jars and planters, with bold forms and rich, earthy textures that echo
the work of country masters from the Southern past.
The Life and Art of Eva Zeisel
Eva Zeisel is a name many may not have heard, an artist and designer
many may not be aware of. Despite this, many may have seen her designs,
may have been touched by her work. Many will certainly be touched by
this lovingly directed documentary on the Hungarian-German-American
ceramist.
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