Robin Hopper Functional Collection

Functional Pottery has been used by potters around the world and in a great many colleges as required reading. It’s a book of personal development in the design, making, and aesthetics of ceramic objects for use, based on more than 40 years of practical experience. Not only is this book the most informative written on the subject of functional pottery and its design and aesthetic, but the illustrations of both historical and contemporary objects put the equivalent of a museum and art gallery at your fingertips. Full of information and practical tips, it‘s an invaluable reference that should be in every potter’s studio.

The five program two-disc DVD series shows how to make a wide range of pots that work well in the home. Each program is full of detailed demonstrations and close-ups of a master potter at work. The series extends and complements Robin’s book, with key elements in video, making this a virtual workshop that can be watched over and over again.

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In his book The Lesser Life, William Morris, the great 19th century designer-craftsman says: “I should say that the making of ugly pottery was one of the most remarkable inventions of civilization.”

He was talking about the visual monstrosities of the Victorian period of industrial pottery production. This period of questionable aesthetics heavily influenced North American art pottery of the early 20th century. A hundred years after the Victorians, we still have a remarkable abundance of visual pollution all around us.

Historically, pots were seldom made with specific considerations or analysis of how they might best perform their duties. However, since the early 20th century edict of Walter Gropius and the Bauhaus movement that “form follows function,” potters and the public have become much more aware of how things work most efficiently through the study of ergonomics.

Making pottery is a timeless occupation, and the best of pots through the ages have a quality of timelessness about them that transcends chronological and cultural boundaries. Their appeal is universal. The essence of form, the movement of a brush, the quality of surface, the hidden meanings, and the integration with mankind’s daily existence over several thousand years, all add to the significance of the art.

Functional Pottery is about pots of purpose-their forms, meanings, and functions. If you’re looking to incorporate new vigor and understanding into the process of making pots for use, Functional Pottery will stimulate. While history, design and how-to are all covered, Functional Pottery goes beyond these to also focus on the development, design and making
of utilitarian pottery and the thought processes behind it.

Save $29.95 when you purchase the Robin Hopper Functional Pottery book and

DVD together for only $174.95

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The series includes the following five programs:

Elements of Form
Provides an introduction and overview to form and design; geometric form; integrated form; proportion and relationships; the Golden Mean; mathematics and nature; organic form; classical form. functional considerations for pots that work well in the home.

Lids and Terminations
Shows how to design and make top and bottom terminations; specifically lips, feet and lids, their styles and variations and how these details relate to the overall form of a pot. Includes extensive working studio demonstrations along with many examples of how different potters use these details.

Spouts and Handles
Shows how to design and make spouts, finials and handles, and how these details adapt and contrast to the overall form. Includes extensive working studio demonstrations along with many examples of how different potters use these details. The emphasis is on spouts that pour well and handles that feel good to hold.

Pots for Eating and Drinking
Presents design concepts and making processes for tableware: plates and bowls and drinking vessels such as mugs, cups and saucers, goblets and tea bowls. Examples of a range of dinnerware styles from well-known potters are presented for viewing. Practical, functional ware is emphasized.

Pots for Cooking and Serving
Presents design concepts and making processes for pitchers, jugs, teapots, wine and liqueur decanters, sake bottles, sauce boats, casseroles, steamers, bakers, serving vessels and pots made for storage. Examples of work by many potters are reviewed. Plenty of hands-on demonstrations are featured throughout.

Read more about Form & Function and view a clip

Save $29.95 when you purchase the Robin Hopper Functional Pottery book and

DVD together for only $174.95

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FREE SHIPPING when you order online (US orders only)