There is something endlessly moving about an item that has been harvested from the earth. When clay is coaxed into a malleable substance, a new story begins. The opportunities are fruitful, and largely unknown until the last minute. Formed into wares, there is a certain earthiness that comes from holding fired clay in our hands, knowing that it has been melded into existence by a potter's craft and learned skill.
Or sometimes, if you're an amateur like myself, the appreciation of a potted hardware becomes most prescient when you know your inexperience could never make tangible a vessel as beautiful as one you can buy. If you too share an appreciation for these sentiments, we are rounding up some of our favourite ceramic brands and ceramicists, below.
Mathilde Martin Ceramics
Crafted sans colour with raw materials and natural enamels, Mathilde Martin's pieces are the perfect representation of the purity of the earth. Additionally, the pieces are hand-built (without a wheel) in France where Martin resides. Her pieces are both striking in mass and simplistic in silhouette, letting the magic of the material speak volumes.
Porch Ceramics
Crafted by Porch and Parlour's Sammy Smith and Ceramic mastermind Ryan Der, Porch Ceramics is a conceptual coming together based in Sydney's Bondi. Elevated, minimalist designs that bring the home together in both functionality and beauty, Porch Ceramics is a local endeavour between the best.
Alma Berrow
London based Alma Berrow is not your usual ceramicist. Landing in the realm of visual art and supplying her product similarly, owning one of Berrow's works is not the same as purchasing a mug. These endearing trinkets are part of the artists commissioned works and projects. Reach out to see what's possible.
Julie Lansom
Responsible for that cobalt vase we're all coveting. Minimal, pared-back silhouettes brought to life by vibrant colours and designs. Cobalt blue, lemon yellow, pistachio green. Lansom's works will brighten your home and your head in an instant.
Alex and Trahanas
Forged from a desire to create entertaining pieces that enrich and create memorable occasions, Alex and Trahanas' Puglian ceramics are recognisable to anyone who lives in Sydney. For those unfamiliar, let us introduce you to the tablewares reminiscent of Al Fresco dining on the Amalfi Coast.
Marloe Marloe
Marloe Marloe was founded in 2014 by ceramist Marloe Morgan on the Southern Gold Coast, Australia. Each object is skillfully handmade by artisans in small batches, resulting in one-of-a-kind pieces refined by simplicity and femininity.
NR Ceramics
Polished, sculptural and elegant, NR ceramics are forever pieces. Simplistic and minimal in form, MR ceramics suits whichever space you're in.
Tantri Mustika Ceramics
Tantri Mustika is a Melbourne based ceramicist making a range of joyful hand built ceramics. Her current collection of work incorporates a modern spin on traditional terrazzo tiling, applying it to bespoke functional forms making terrazzo adaptable to everyday life.
Rachel Saunders Ceramics
Simplicity, functionality, sustainability, playfulness, and connection. This is what Rachel Saunders' ceramic practice is built on. Offering simplistic and refined silhouettes with a touch of imperfection, highlighting the inherent beauty of natural materials.
Glaze Galleria Ceramics
In Drummoyne, Glaze Gallery doubles as a studio, retail shop, and event-site for all your clay-related purposes. The gift shop also offers ceramics by other artists, as well as soy dripped candles. You can also book a firing service for stoneware clay.
Made in Japan
For earthenware of a more eastern sensibility, Melbourne-based Made in Japan is the one to heed. The signature mottled glazing is beautifully speckled across all of their ceramic goods, including pots, tumblers, plates, and sauce dishes for any Mirin or sesame oil dipping.
Rainy Bb
Singaporean model and ceramicist Rainy is in charge of molding all of the adorably shaped mugs that are sold on her website. The 'wobble mug' is the perfect addition to your kitchen pantry whenever you need a piping cup of joe in the shape of... well, we're not too sure. Art is subjective.
Voluptuary
Voluptuary is characterised by its soft, fluid forms, and delectable hues. It is a confection in every right. If it wasn't made of fine china, I'd be sinking my teeth into the undersides. The standout is this pink and green anthurium dish, which is coincidentally my favourite flower. Dear reader, you know what to get when March comes around the bend.
Milly Dent
Milly Dent's pottery walks the rope between utilitarian and sculptural. Her work is a geometric study of pottery, hand-sculpted to mimic and capture light and shadow from all ends. Her vases are the crowning glory. Get one for your own home.
Amis & Co
Amiten O'Keeffe of Amis & Co handmakes each piece in the Byron Hinterland. Ranging from large vases to miniature Saké cups, each Amis & Co piece is fired in an Anagama woodfired kiln, where the ash from the wood the team collects from fallen rainforest trees for the fire forms the glaze on each piece, solidifying the ceramics as one-of-a-kind reflections of place and time. You can DM to purchase.
