Mary Seton Watts and the Compton Pottery

This book explores the life and work of Mary Seton Watts, a Scottish pottery designer who established her own business in Compton, England. It showcases her Grade 1 listed Cemetery Chapel at Compton and the art potteries she set up in Compton and her home village near Inverness. The pottery produced terracotta garden ware, memorials, and decorative pieces for over fifty years, surviving two World Wars and a trade depression.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2019
Publisher: Philip Wilson Publishers Ltd

This extensive book serves as a captivating blend of biographical insights into the early life of Mary Seton Watts and a comprehensive survey of the pottery she designed. Delving into the rich tapestry of her origins in Scotland, her artistic journey, and her marriage to the renowned Victorian artist George Frederic Watts, this work intricately weaves together the influences that shaped the design of the Grade 1 listed Cemetery Chapel at Compton. Moreover, it exerted a profound impact on the art potteries she established, both in Compton (where she founded The Potters' Arts Guild) and in her hometown near Inverness. The pottery at Compton thrived for over fifty years, producing a wide array of terracotta garden ware, memorials, and delicate decorative pieces. Remarkably, it remained operational even during the challenging times of two World Wars and a severe trade depression, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of Mary Watts in coordinating both human resources and materials.

The beautifully illustrated pages of this publication serve as a testament to the remarkable artistry and individuality of Mary Watts' pottery creations. Each piece showcased captures the essence of her talent, demonstrating her ability to blend form, function, and aesthetic beauty. This book pays fitting homage to Mary Watts' remarkable capacity to orchestrate and harmonize people and resources, leaving an indelible mark on the world of pottery and art.

Weight: 1522g
Dimension: 226 x 282 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781781300855