Master Potter John Davidson

9th August, 2005

English Master Potter John Davidson from Cornwall
passed away 25th July 2005

It is with great sadness that we learned the news, from Kiwi/English potter Graeme Fern that our friend ENGLISH MASTER POTTER, JOHN DAVIDSON had passed away on the 25th of July 2005 after a long battle with cancer.

Lesley and I first met John in 1978 1979 when I trained with him at The Lakes Pottery, Chapel Hill in Truro Cornwall, England. I worked with head potter Barry Huggett and John in a atmosphere that was really great to be in. I was welcomed into the team with open arms and felt completely at home right away.

We produced some beautiful tableware designed by John,which was brush decorated. Also complimenting this was a range or Cornish style ware. Everything was produced to Johns very high standards, all overseen by by John with his calm, happy, hardworking and dedicated style. We wanted to work hard and to high standards , he was a great example to us,a great role model to train with.
We processed our own clay did everything right through to selling.

He was a fine potter way back then and really was a Master Potter long before his passing.

He started New Mills Pottery in 1964 after discovering the joy of making pottery at evening classes at Putney, London, followed by several years of study and part time teaching,which led to a move to Cornwall.

Initially his work concentrated on stoneware kitchen and tableware which sold throughout the country. In More recent years his interest had moved towards porcelain of a decorative nature, based on bowl and vessel forms which were decorated and finished with coloured lustres and precious metals. A process that can take up to six firings to complete.

Most works were wheel thrown and fired in a propane kiln which he designed and built. John Davidson was elected to full membership of the Craftmen Potters Association in England in 1964 and played a key role in the establishment of its first London shop.He has been a member of the Cornwall Crafts association since 1980.

Up until his death he had worked at New Mills Pottery ,Ladock near Truro Cornwall,as well as a period at Lakes Truro Pottery where I met him. John is survived by his wife Maggie and 4 children.

A very fine English Master Potter who gave us so much and had so much more to offer..............he is at rest........................

John will be very sadly missed by all his artist friends in England and around the world.

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