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Ceramic Archive at Aberystwyth University

History of the Ceramic Archive

The Ceramic Archive was developed in the late 1980s, when a new home was needed for the Craft Potters Association archive, which was initiated in the early 1970s by Robert Fournier, a CPA member. The aim was to collect documents which would maintain a record of the origins, organisation, activities and development of the Craft Potters Association (founded in1958). By 1988, the CPA archive had grown into a substantial body of material which needed a more permanent and larger location, and its holdings were offered and accepted by Aberystwyth University Ceramic Archive, based at the School of Art, Aberystwyth. The main paper documents in the Ceramic Archive were deposited in the National Library of Wales in 1997. However, any information relating directly to the makers in the Ceramic Collection was retained at Aberystwyth University Ceramic Archive.

What is in the Ceramic Archive at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth?

The Ceramic Archive has information about studio pottery or non-industrial pottery, and consists of the following:

1. Files containing published information on all makers in the collection e.g. press cuttings, articles, exhibition catalogues and reviews.
2. Back catalogues of published material on British ceramics including journals (e.g. Ceramic Review), magazines, national and regional newsletters.
3. Auction catalogues including Sotheby’s, Bonham’s and Christie’s.
4. A worldwide range of reference books about ceramics.
5. An extensive range of foreign journals on ceramics.
6. British ceramic exhibition catalogues, including those held at Aberystwyth Arts Centre.
7. A collection of audio-visual material relating to ceramics and studio pottery, with an emphasis on women potters
8. Documents and photographs relating to the Aberystwyth International Ceramics Festival.

How can you use the archive?

We are preparing an online catalogues of all our holdings in the near future. In the meantime if you send us your query, we will be happy to investigate it for you. Personal researchers are welcome by appointment. There is no charge for the services of the archive for non commercial research.

Contact the Ceramic Archive.

Valuations:

We are unable to give valuations on ceramic pieces and recommend you contact a reputable antique dealer or auction house such as Bonham’s, Christie’s or Sotheby’s.

Craft Potters Association Archive:

The early documents of the CPA are now held at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth which is open to the general public. However, if you are unable to visit yourself, the staff at the Ceramic Archive, Aberystwyth University, can visit for you and forward any information by post. Contact us with your request. For further information on the holdings in the CPA archive, at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth please follow this link.