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Ark Pottery
Ark Pottery is a studio pottery which was established in the 1970s. From its first days of making hand-modelled animals to a studio employing up to six people it is now a studio and shop in Devon, England.

History
Ark Pottery was formally co-founded in 1976 by Vaughan and Angela Glanville. Initially the pottery consisted principally of hand-made ceramic animals but the range soon increased to include thrown pots, often incorporating decorated elements – usually animals. Based in Maltby-le-Marsh, Lincolnshire between 1976 and 1981, the potters made ceramic animals which were sold to gift shops around the UK. They also converted a barn into a studio-shop where they showed a range of not only their range of animals but thrown pots and sculptural forms.

Whilst in Lincolnshire the pottery had a regular stand at Alford Craft Market. In 1982 the pottery moved to Wiggaton, near Ottery St Mary in Devon and in 1999 the potters opened their studio to the public. The pottery is now sold principally from the studio.

Name
The name of the pottery was inspired by Noah’s Ark, because the small hand-made ceramic animals were the first items to be made by the potters. The animals have been an enduring feature of the pottery and are still made today.

The Potters
Vaughan Glanville (30 March 1945 – 25 March 2015) was born in Ottery St Mary, Devon. He trained at Exeter College of Art and Design and Reading University. After several years as an art teacher, he became a full time potter/sculptor.

Angela Glanville trained at Hornsea College of Art, London, Exeter College of Art and Design and Reading University. She spent several years teaching before becoming co-founder of Ark Pottery. She designs and makes the range of hand modelled animals. When Vaughan was alive, she was involved in the decorating and finishing of some of Vaughan’s pots. She now creates her own pottery.

The Pots
Ark Pottery’s pots are very distinctive. Using principally red earthenware clay, the range of pots made include a variety of small stylised animals and birds, pots incorporating animals, such as mugs with frogs in the bottom, jugs with mice on the handle and piggy banks as well as studio pottery items. Many items are colourful, incorporating greens and blues on a base of white or cream.

Craquelle Ware
Since opening the on-site studio shop, the potters developed a special technique which they called ‘craquelle’. Used on thrown ware, it results in a ‘cracked’ effect on the glaze, which is actually perfectly watertight. The ware is often white or cream with green or blue ‘crackled’ effect.