7 Best-Selling Pottery Books Millions Trust

Simon Leach, inheriting a rich ceramic legacy, offers practical insights into the art of wheel throwing that resonate beyond mere technique. You’ll learn to create pots that balance beauty with utility, exploring foundational skills and subtle shaping nuances that elevate your craft. The book focuses on helping you understand clay’s behavior on the wheel, from centering to trimming, making it ideal if you want to build confidence in functional pottery. Whether you’re just starting or refining your approach, this guide walks you through the processes that give your work both form and purpose.

The methods DK developed while producing this book reflect their commitment to visual learning and practical guidance in pottery. You’ll find detailed instructions covering everything from throwing techniques to glazing and firing, with clear photos that even show the potter’s hand positions, which is rare in craft books. Particularly useful are the troubleshooting tips that help you salvage projects when things don’t go as planned, making it suitable for beginners and more experienced makers alike. Whether you want to master sgraffito decoration or refine your wheel-throwing skills, this book offers a thorough walk-through of the processes that bring pottery ideas to life.

This tailored pottery book explores battle-tested methods that align with your unique skill level and challenges. It covers essential techniques from clay preparation to advanced wheel throwing, hand-building, and glazing, focusing on what matters most to your pottery journey. By blending widely validated knowledge with your specific interests, it reveals a personalized path for mastering pottery. The book emphasizes hands-on learning and problem-solving approaches that match your background and goals, making each chapter a focused exploration of proven practices adapted for you. This tailored approach enhances your understanding and skill development in the art of pottery with clarity and enthusiasm.

When Ben Carter, a celebrated ceramic artist and educator, crafted this guide, he aimed to elevate potters from foundational skills to advanced craftsmanship. You’ll start with mastering the wheel’s basics—centering clay and forming classic shapes—before moving into complex techniques like throwing large pitchers, altering forms, and surface paddling. The book also showcases inspiring work from contemporary artists, offering you not just instruction but a glimpse into creative possibilities. If you're eager to refine your wheel-throwing and explore diverse pottery styles, this book gives you a thorough toolkit to build on your passion and skill.

Unlike most pottery guides that skim surface details, this encyclopedia by Brenda Roberts and co-authors digs deep into Hull pottery's rich history and vast catalog. You’ll find full-color images and thorough descriptions of 116 lines, complete with manufacture dates and 2005 valuations, offering concrete knowledge for serious collectors. Chapters detail everything from early designs to later innovations, helping you identify and appraise pieces confidently. If you’re passionate about Hull pottery or want to build expertise in this niche, this book equips you with the historical context and practical tools needed to navigate the collecting world with authority.

Unlike most pottery reference books that focus mainly on historical narrative, Ralph and Terry Kovel offer a precise tool tailored for identifying marks on pottery and porcelain from 1850 onward. This book catalogs over 3,500 marks from American, European, and Oriental origins, enabling you to authenticate and value your pieces effectively. For collectors—both professional and amateur—it bridges the gap between curiosity and certainty, especially when confronted with cryptic symbols on the undersides of ceramics. Chapters meticulously group marks by region and era, making it easier to trace provenance and appreciate the craftsmanship behind each item. If you're eager to deepen your understanding of ceramic markings and their histories, this book is a practical companion.

This tailored book explores rapid, focused pottery skill development designed to accelerate your craft within a month. It covers essential techniques from clay preparation to shaping and finishing, all tailored to your current background and specific goals. By concentrating on the most impactful practices, the book reveals how to make meaningful progress quickly while aligning with your interests in pottery. The personalized approach ensures that you engage deeply with steps that resonate with your unique learning style and pace, making skill improvement both efficient and enjoyable. Whether you're refining wheel throwing or hand-building methods, this book adapts to your needs for fast, noticeable advancement.

Ralph and Terry Kovel have devoted decades to uncovering the stories behind American art pottery, transforming their passion into a detailed guide that goes beyond mere identification. This book offers you an in-depth look at more than 215 potteries, including both celebrated names like Rookwood and Weller and lesser-known makers such as Avon and Zanesville, complete with historical context, artist backgrounds, and factory marks. You'll find over 700 photographs and 1,000 illustrations that help you distinguish pieces by shape, color, and decoration, making it a practical companion for collectors and enthusiasts eager to deepen their knowledge. Whether you're seeking to understand the nuances of pottery lines or the evolution of tile factories, this guide equips you with concrete tools and historical insights to appreciate and identify American art pottery confidently.

What started as a fascination with ancient crafting methods became Evard H. Gibby's detailed guide to primitive pottery. You learn practical skills such as sourcing and preparing clay, adding temper to improve durability, and using various hand-building techniques. The book offers over sixty photographs that visually guide you through each stage, from shaping to firing, including outdoor cooking with your handmade pots. If you’re drawn to primitive arts or survival skills, this book grounds you in both the craft and cultural history behind earthenware, making it a solid choice for hands-on makers rather than those seeking modern pottery studio techniques.