Henley Archaeological and Historical Group

ON December 5, the Henley Archaeological and Historical Group enjoyed seasonal treats and an illustrated presentation by potter Jane White on the work of Alan Caiger-Smith and his Aldermaston studio.

Alan founded the studio in 1955 in a former blacksmith’s shop acquired for only £500.

His work revived the then unfashionable decorated tin-glaze pottery and lustre-ware and was inspired by pottery from medieval Iraq, Spain and Italy. He was soon joined by Geoffrey Eastop (later to become John Piper’s potter) and about 60 other assistants.

Alan was very keen for him and his assistants to become involved in all stages of the production process, from preparation of the clay to decoration, glazing and firing, to understand how each stage affected the final outcome.

On leaving Aldermaston Pottery, his assistants were able to set up on their own and practised their skills around the world.

The pottery finally closed in 2006 and Alan died in 2020 but his work lives on in collections.

The group’s first talk of 2024 will be given at the Chantry House in Henley at 7.30pm for 7.45pm on Tuesday, January 3 when Miles Clifford, a PhD student at the University of Reading, will speak about the effect of river maintenance on the archaeological material recovered from the Thames.

Tony Lynch