No 4: 'Fountain' bowl, 1938 (P.74.132)

This vast and impressive bowl is an example of Cardew's early work at Winchcombe Pottery, Gloucestershire, his first workshop. It is made of locally-dug red clay, thrown, then banded and trailed in white slip on the exterior in a springing fountain pattern. Inside, it is covered with a running, reduced iron and copper glaze with a galena (transparent) glaze over all. The colours read as speckled green on the inside and speckled ochre on the outside.

This rare bowl is fresh in colour and feeling; it was included in Cardew's 1976 retrospective exhibition, organised by the Crafts Advisory Committee.