John Shelly left Winchcombe Pottery in 1951 to found Bath Pottery. Most sources suggest that the original location of the workshop was in Old King Street in Bath. In that period John Shelly was known for making slip decorated earthenware. In 1956 John Shelly sold Bath Pottery to Richard Freeman, who ran the pottery until 1962. Richard Freeman was an accomplished artist, predominantly working in ceramics and sculpture during his tenure at Bath Pottery. In this period he was a founder-member of the Craftsmen Potters Association and exhibited widely in the UK and abroad. It is believed that the Bath Pottery lapsed in 1962 when Richard Freemen moved to Vellow where he worked from 1962-66.
In 1967 Steve Mills revived the Bath Pottery in Walcot Street, making domestic stoneware. He invited Ian Dunbar, John Lee, Liz Lee and Later Paul Huber to join him in establishing a multi-craft workshop and shop. In 1974 a talented young photojournalist and ex-student of Steve's, Carlo Chinca took a series of wonderful photographs of the pottery in full swing, and they were subsequently published in Bath and Country Magazine. These photographs are shared here with the kind permission of Carlo Chinca, who retains copyright, all rights reserved.
Bath Pottery expanded and moved to Broad Street Place for a time, until high rents forced a final move within the City of Bath, to Dorset Close, where, with another potter, Michael Bailey and Kate Mills, Steve established Bath Potters’ Supplies. Steve continued making in his own name and with the Bath Pottery makers mark until his passing in 2015.
In 1967 Steve Mills revived the Bath Pottery in Walcot Street, making domestic stoneware. He invited Ian Dunbar, John Lee, Liz Lee and Later Paul Huber to join him in establishing a multi-craft workshop and shop. In 1974 a talented young photojournalist and ex-student of Steve's, Carlo Chinca took a series of wonderful photographs of the pottery in full swing, and they were subsequently published in Bath and Country Magazine. These photographs are shared here with the kind permission of Carlo Chinca, who retains copyright, all rights reserved.
Bath Pottery expanded and moved to Broad Street Place for a time, until high rents forced a final move within the City of Bath, to Dorset Close, where, with another potter, Michael Bailey and Kate Mills, Steve established Bath Potters’ Supplies. Steve continued making in his own name and with the Bath Pottery makers mark until his passing in 2015.