Ray Finch was born in London and studied at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London. He worked with Michael Cardew at the Winchcombe Pottery in Gloucestershire, and eventually took over the pottery in 1946 and worked there for the remainder of his life. The pottery produced a wide range of domestic ware. Slipware gave way to stoneware in the 1960s, and the pieces were high fired in a large wood fired kiln. The emphasis of his work had always been, in both the standard range and individual pieces, to make pots which are both to be used and enjoyed. His work provides a warm and well-mannered alternative to mass-produced wares. The unostentatious character of the Winchcombe range draws its strength from qualities of continuity, stability and simplicity.

www.winchcombepottery.co.uk

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2012/jan/31/ray-finch-obituary

Glossary

  • Stoneware

    One of the three major types of pottery, the others being earthenware and porcelain. A buff, gray or brown clay is mixed with other clays and ceramic materials to make a heavy, opaque, highly plastic clay body that is fired at a high temperature - above 1200ºC. It is in between earthenware and porcelain in its character. The term stoneware also refers to the clay body and objects made from it.