The History of Ceramics

Paul Greenhalgh and Stephanie Rozene travel to the American South at the end the 19th C to explore the life and work of George E. Ohr - otherwise known as the Mad Potter of Biloxi. Overlooked for much of his life this eccentric character worked tirelessly creating innovative, wild and exquisitely crafted art pottery. He was a renowned showman using slogans, banners and sales gimmicks to market his wares and was the self proclaimed "world's best art-potter". His life’s work remained undiscovered gathering dust in a garage for decades before an antiques dealer happened upon them in his son's auto shop. Today his legacy is firmly recognised as a founding father of the art pottery movement and there is a museum in his name, designed by Frank Gehry, in his hometown of Biloxi. Images of artworks and photographs in this episode: Pitcher, 1889-1910, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET, N.Y. Vase (Blue/Twist), 1987-1900, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET, N.Y. Vase (Red), 1895-1910, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET, N.Y. Vase (pink/purple/pinched), 1897-1910, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET, N.Y. Photo of George E. Ohr – The Mad Potter of Biloxi (1857-1918) Photo of George E. Ohr (1857-1918) – outside studio with signage Photo of George E. Ohr (1857-1918) – studio with “Greatest Potter on Earth” signage Photo of George E. Ohr (1857-1918) – inside studio with pots George E. Ohr, The Mad Potter of Biloxi. Harpers Magazine, 1892-1893 Burnt Babies, 1894, George E. Ohr Burnt Babies, 1894, George E. Ohr Vase (Red), 1895-96, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET Tea Pot, 1897-1900, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET Pitcher (Brown/Gold/Pinched), 1896, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET Photo of George E. Ohr (1895-1918) - workshop Bowl (Green/Gold), 1897-1910, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET Bowl (Pinched Clay), 1898-1910, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET Vase (Black/Blue), 1900, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET Vase (Red/Brown), 1890-1905, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET Pitcher (Green), 1890-1905, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMet Clockface and Vase (Pink), 1898, George E. Ohr. Image courtesy of TheMET. (TBC) Photo of Ohr and O’Keefe Museum of Art in Biloxi, Mississippi – architect Frank Gehry. For more great art content visit www.heni.com or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks Credits: Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Editor: Joe Little Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: The Mad Potter of Biloxi 00:04:20 Early Life and Civil War Era Biloxi 00:07:01 The Misfit: Education and Early Jobs 00:10:50 Discovery of Clay: The Duck Finds Water 00:12:04 Research Journey and Return to Biloxi 00:14:10 Building a Life: Marriage and Early Success 00:20:08 World's Fairs and the Great Biloxi Fire 00:26:26 The Golden Age: Reinvention and Masterworks 00:31:29 The Mad Potter Persona and World's Fair Recognition 00:38:51 Rejection and the End of Production 00:44:29 The 50-Year Wait and Miraculous Discovery 00:48:17 Legacy: From Forgotten to Greatest Potter on Earth

Join Stephanie Rozene and guest Garth Johnson as they travel back to 1967 and the West Coast of America where an exhibition named Funk would showcase ceramics as a provocative art form. Using humour, satire, colour and form these Funk artists critiqued the world around them and changed ceramics forever. No longer utilitarian vessels - this was art that shocked. Artwork in this episode: Banded White Bottle, 1958, Robert Arneson Spouted Footed Vase, 1959, Robert Arneson No Deposit, No Return, 1961, Robert Arneson Jack and John Trophy, 1964, Robert Arneson His and Her’s, 1964 , Robert Arneson John with Art, 1964, Robert Arneson Typewriter #1 (Touch System) 1965, Robert Arneson Self Portrait of the Artists Losing His Marbles, 1965, Robert Arneson Alice House Wall, 1967, Robert Arnson Assassination of a Famous Nut Artist, 1971, Robert Arneson Portrait of George, 1981, Robert Arneson Other Images: Relax in Electric Chair (Dirty Guy),” 1965, Peter Saul Rocking Pot, 1956, Peter Voulkos, Hole in One, 1978, Peter Voulkos, Bottle, circa 1955. Antonio Prieto Fur Rat, 1962, Joan Brown Cakes, 1963, Wayne Thiebaud For more great art content visit www.heni.com or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Additional Research: Catherine Ingram Editor: Fraser Watson Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac

How did Wedgwood combine pottery with politics? Paul Greenhalgh is joined by Sir Tristram Hunt to discuss the life and work of potter and abolitionist Josiah Wedgwood who created one of the most famous ceramic companies in British history. Ceramics and artwork in this week’s episode include: Dinner Plate ‘Frog Service’, 1773, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Plate ‘Frog Service’, 1773–1774, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Portland Vase, 1790, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Vase (Creamware), 1764–68, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum The Founding of Australia. By Capt. Arthur Phillip R.N., Sydney Cove, Jan. 26th 1788 Algernon Talmage Medallion, 1790–95, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Vase (Black Basalt), 1775–80, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Milk Jug, 1785—95, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Saucer, 1795—1810 , Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Portrait Medallion, 1775–80, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Vase, Circa 1800—10, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Dancing Hours Plaque, 1778, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons and John Flaxman Courtesy of V&A Museum Dancing Hours Salt Cellar, 1786—90, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons and John Flaxman Courtesy of V&A Museum Vase, Circa 1800—10, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Teapot and cover (Black Basalt), 1810, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Bust (Black Basalt), 1770–80, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Teapot (Caneware), 18th Century, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Edward Gibbon, 1737–94 Portland Vase, Circa 1–25 AD Portland Vase, 1790, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Josiah Wedgwood statue, Stoke-on-Trent, 1862–3, Edward Davis Anti-slavery medallion, Circa 1787, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum For more great art content visit www.heni.com or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Additional Research: Catherine Ingram Editor: Alessandro Ruocco Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Josiah Wedgwood - Turning Pottery into Politics 00:01:32 The London Shop and Marketing Genius 00:04:26 Art Meets Commerce: Wedgwood's Philosophy 00:06:12 Global Ambition: 80% Export Market 00:11:29 Countering Porcelain: Creamware vs European Tradition 00:13:09 Black Basalt and the Innovation of Jasperware 00:15:40 John Flaxman and Ceramics as High Art 00:20:03 The Portland Vase: Artistic Triumph and Commercial Challenge 00:22:03 Free Trade and Empire: A Businessman's Contradictions 00:24:34 Radical Patriotism: Politics and Revolution 00:29:24 The Abolition Badge: Pottery Against Slavery 00:35:37 Legacy and Decline: After Josiah's Death in 1795 00:40:27 The Wedgwood Brand: Surviving 200 Years of Mismanagement 00:43:16 Conclusion: Wedgwood's Enduring Importance to Ceramic History

In this episode Paul and Stephanie discuss how Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour, and Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette's passion for porcelain created one of the most famous and revered names in the history of ceramics, Sèvres. Ceramics and artwork in this week’s episode include: Tureen (Japanese Kakiemon style), 1725–51, Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Tureen, 1749–50, Vincennes Porcelain Manufactory Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Madame de Pompadour, 1756, François Boucher Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Madame de Pompadour, 1759, François Boucher Postcard – Sèvres – National Sèvres Manufactory – Gilding Workshop Wikimedia Commons (French Open Licence 1.0) Dinner Plate, 1788, Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Tureen (Rococo Style), 1758, Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Courtesy of The Met Collection Bleu Céleste Vase, 1779, Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Walters Art Museum, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, Circa 1890 Charles Louis Müller Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0) Bleu Céleste Dinner Plates (Manchester Service), 1776–83, Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory The Louis XVI Dinner Service, 1783—93 , Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory "To see images of the artworks in this episode go to heni.com/thehistoryofceramics or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks" Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Additional Research: Catherine Ingram Editor: Alessandro Ruocco Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Power, Porcelain and Prestige at Sèvres 00:02:02 The European Porcelain Race and France's Soft-Paste Experiments 00:07:07 The Birth of Vincennes: Defectors and Royal Patronage 00:09:25 Madame de Pompadour: The Power Behind Sèvres 00:13:30 The Move to Sèvres and Royal Ownership 00:14:43 Inside the Sèvres Factory: Division of Labor and Craftsmanship 00:24:42 The Rococo Style: Opulence and Decadence 00:27:38 Porcelain as Diplomatic Currency: The Bedford and Manchester Services 00:31:46 Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette Take the Throne 00:40:10 The Most Extravagant Service Ever Made 00:45:59 Revolution and the Fall of the Monarchy 00:48:44 Sèvres Survives: From Royal to National Manufactory 00:52:40 Napoleon and the Continuing Legacy of Sèvres

How did Europe become obsessed with porcelain? And who would win the race to discover the secret formula for this “white gold?” In this episode Paul Greenhalgh and Stephanie Rozene travel from Marco Polo’s China to the courts and palaces of Europe, where this mysterious material bewitched all those that encountered it. Artworks featured in this episode: King Louis XIV King William III & Queen Mary II A late 17th-century engraving of a porcelain room in the style popularised by Mary II Courtesy of The Met Collection Porcelain Room, Charlottenburg Palace, Berlin, Germany Marco Polo Unglazed Ewer (Earthenware) 9th–10th century Courtesy of The Met Collection Francesco de' Medici, 1541—87 Bowl with Variation of 'Baba Nakkas' Design, Circa 1500—25 Courtesy of The Met Collection Iznik Mosque Lamp (Turkey) 1585—95 Courtesy of The Cleveland Museum of Art Potpourri jar (France)Circa 1690—95 Courtesy of The Met Collection Terracotta Jug, Circa 1400–1190 BC Courtesy of The Met Collection Maiolica Plate (Italy), Circa 1500 Courtesy of The Met Collection Handled Vase (Spain), 17th Century Rouen Faience Jug (France), Circa 1720 - Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Pilgrim Flask (Italy), Circa 1580, Medici Porcelain Manufactory King Augustus II the Strong, 1670–1733 To see images of the artworks in this episode go to heni.com/thehistoryofceramics or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Additional Research: Catherine Ingram Editor: Alessandro Ruocco Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: White Gold - The Race for Porcelain 00:01:00 Porcelain Fever: Europe's Obsession with China 00:04:12 The Magical Properties of Porcelain 00:06:20 Status Symbol of Monarchs: Porcelain Rooms and Collections 00:08:34 The Portuguese Trade Route and China's Monopoly 00:09:57 Marco Polo and the Mystery of Porcelain 00:15:02 What Porcelain Actually Is: The Science Revealed 00:19:04 Early European Attempts: Medici Porcelain and Soft Paste 00:21:36 The Failed Experiments: Grinding Shells and Burying Clay 00:25:58 Tin Glaze Traditions: Maiolica, Faience, and Delftware 00:30:02 The Race Intensifies: Setting Up for Discovery

How did Picasso discover pottery? And how did he transform the fortunes of an ancient town in the process? Join Paul Greenhalgh and Stephanie Rozene to discuss Picasso’s life in the South of France just after the Second World War where he found a new and exciting creative outlet bringing together painting and sculpture and in doing so transformed the history of art. Ceramics and artwork in this week’s episode include: Guernica, 1937 by Pablo Picasso Head Plate, 1957 by Pablo Picasso "Tete au Masque" Plate, 1956 by Pablo Picasso Owl Pitcher, 1957 by Pablo Picasso Three Sardines, 1947 by Pablo Picasso Bull In The Arena, 1948 by Pablo Picasso Vase with Two High Handles, The Queen, 1953 by Pablo Picasso To see images of the artworks in this episode go to heni.com/thehistoryofceramics or visit the HENI Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Additional Research: Catherine Ingram Editor: Alessandro Ruocco Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Picasso the Potter 00:00:53 The Dark Years: Picasso During World War II 00:05:27 Discovering Vallauris: A Holiday That Changed Everything 00:07:41 The Madoura Pottery and First Experiments 00:11:23 Working with Clay: Technique and Collaboration 00:14:04 Picasso's Ceramic Vocabulary 00:22:11 Domestic Life and the South of France 00:28:10 Jacqueline Roque and New Beginnings 00:31:42 Revitalizing Vallauris: Community and Legacy 00:34:29 What Picasso Did for Ceramics

What was the first piece of pottery that humans ever made? What does it reveal about our earliest ancestors? In this episode Paul Greenhalgh and Stephanie Rozene travel back to the earliest civilisations to find out how they created the very first ceramic objects and what that meant to the story of mankind. Ceramics and artwork in this week’s episode include: Venus of Dolní Věstonice, 29,000—25,000 BC Vestonicka venuse edit by Petr Novák, Wikipedia Source - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vestonicka_venuse_edit.jpg For the full legal code, see the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 Generic license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/legalcode.en Vestonicka venuse back by Petr Novák, Wikipedia Source - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vestonicka_venuse_back.jpg For the full legal code, see the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 Generic license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/legalcode.en Fire-Flame Cooking Vessel, 2750—2500 BC Deep Vessel with Decorative Handles, 3500—2500 BC Met Museum Bell Beaker, 2475–1800 BC Bell Beaker Rijksmuseum of Oudheden by Gary Todd Source - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bell_Beaker_Rijksmuseum_of_Oudheden.jpg For the full legal code, see the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en To see images of the artworks in this episode go to heni.com/thehistoryofceramics or visit the HENI Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Additional Research: Catherine Ingram Editor: Alessandro Ruocco Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: How Ceramics Changed History 00:02:13 Clay vs Ceramic 00:04:50 The Oldest Writing About Potters 00:06:58 The Venus of Dolni Vestonice: The First Ceramic Object 00:12:41 How Early Societies Discovered Ceramic Technology 00:15:32 The First Pots: From China to Japan 00:17:58 The Jomon People 00:19:24 Jomon Pots: Decoration, Function, and Meaning 00:25:01 Fire, Food, and Transformation 00:25:57 Nomadic Potters 00:32:00 Pottery as Archaeological Evidence 00:33:12 The Bell Beaker People of Britain 00:35:25 Ceramics as a Mark of Civilization 00:37:21 An Ancient Technology Still in Use Today