Welcome

News From The Museum

Important Notice

If you’re travelling some distance to visit the museum please contact us to ensure we are open on 02 6036 3464 or

Introduction

The National Museum of Australian Pottery is the only Museum dedicated to 19th and early 20th century Australian pottery and is the culmination of many years of collecting and research throughout Australia.

On display are close to 1,500 pieces of domestic pottery from over 120 Australian pottery companies established between European settlement and the end of World War I, (1918).

Amongst the extensive range of pottery wares, such as simple preserving jars, jugs, colourful cheese covers, beautiful bread plates and elegantly decorated water filters are a few rare examples of pottery made by the convict potter Jonathan Leak, who’s few surviving pieces are the earliest marked pottery produced in Australia.

Also on display are over 100 original photographs, showing the interior and exterior of many potteries, exhibition displays and portraits of the potters along with catalogues, price lists and numerous old advertisements.

The Collection represents in many ways the struggle, courage and determination of many of our early potters who, often under difficult circumstances, produced basic and decorative domestic pottery, frequently with spectacular results.

Visitors have a unique opportunity to further their knowledge and appreciation of our early Australian pottery heritage.

So come and spend some quality time at Holbrook in the National Museum of Australian Pottery with Geoff and Kerrie Ford.

To take a short tour through the Museum click on this link

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/collectors/segments/s3064857.htm

then click on the ˃ button to the left under the screen

Short Term Exhibitions

Current Exhibition

Artware to Utility - the story of Modern Ceramic Products

The Museum is hosting the short term exhibition ‘Artware to Utility.’ The exhibition is accompanied be a book of the same title which was launched at the opening on the 24th March. The exhibition contains 84 pieces of pottery produced by the Sydney Company between 1945 to 1965 and will continue until the 31st July 2012.

The book is available at the Museum for $75 or can be ordered at www.mcpmingay.com

To listen to an ABC radio interview click on this link

http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2012/03/28/3465442.htm

then click on the ˃ button to the right under the photos

Future Exhibitions

Melrose Art Pottery 1931 – 1942

3^rd November 2012 to 17^th February 2013

Past Exhibitions

Rediscovering Jonathan Leak

To listen to an ABC radio interview click on this link

www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2011/07/07/3263544.htm

then click on the ˃ button to the right under the photos

A Unique Piece in the Current MCP Exhibition

This most impressive hand painted Krater (a large vessel used to mix wine and water) was decorated by Orpheus Arfaras with Ancient Greek dancers and musicians. It was made in the 1950s at the MCP factory and is marked by the artist.

Water Filters in the National Museum of Australian Pottery.

This booklet’s 30 A4 wire spine bound pages features a large true colour photograph of each of the 51 water filters in the Museum’s collection which were made by 16 different potters covering the period from 1866 to 1930.

Many potteries around Australia made water filters during this period that they sold to the public themselves, or for other firms such as ironmongers and filter sellers who sold them through their own stores or agents. Each filter is accompanied by detailed information about the filter and the ironmonger or filter seller for whom it was made, along with advertisements from the period, which makes interesting reading. If you would like a copy they are available in ‘Books’ on this web page, or at the Museum. The cost is $38.00, post free in Australia.

Why not come and visit the Museum

The Museum’s reputation and collection continues to expand, with a number of very important pieces being added recently and placed on display.

We can cater for large and small groups with homemade morning tea, afternoon tea or supper, along with an introduction talk and a guided tour.

We also serve a delicious homemade Devonshire tea, so why not come and visit the Museum.

We also have a small number of selected Australian pottery pieces for sale.

If you would like us to tailor a visit for your group or club please contact us on 02 6036 3464.

We look forward to seeing you soon at the Museum

Friends of NMAP Inc.

The Friends of NMAP Inc. get together at the Museum four times a year. All the meetings are well attended by members from far and wide who enjoy themselves and take away a greater knowledge of collecting Australian pottery. If you would like to become a member you can find a membership form in the ‘NMAP FRIENDS’ section.

Newsletter Reminder

Potting About in its electronic format is now e-mailed direct to subscribers. It includes information on the latest acquisition to the collection, details of the latest auctions and e-bay results, articles on 19th & 20th Century potters plus much more.

DON'T MISS OUT SUBSCRIBE NOW

Two Sample Pages

This edition also included Letters to the Editor, an article on Australian Made Money Boxes, an article published in 1949 on Stones Pottery in Brisbane, Around the Auctions, Items on E-Bay, Notice about a Pottery Seminar, an article on Darbyshire Pottery from Western Australia and a report from the Friends of NMAP Inc.