The Potters’ Arts Guild at Compton

Collections

Collection Information.

A selection of pots on a lawn

Compton Pottery

The Potters’ Arts Guild was founded in 1904 by artist and designer Mary Watts.

The aim was to promote traditional craft practices and create jobs for the local community. Mary said of the Guild: ‘No one can do better than to try to make a delightful village industry. Beautiful things beautifully made by people in beautiful country’.

The Guild produced a wide range of ceramics, jewellery and garden ware. Terracotta tombstones made by the pottery can still be seen by Watts Cemetery Chapel. The pottery thrived for over 50 years before closing in 1956.

"My hope is that Terra cotta shall be my future"

- Mary Watts, 9 September 1894

Collection stories

  1. Black and white photo of pottery works, with pots and a horse
    Article

    Mary Watts and the Compton Pottery

    17 April 2019
  2. Archive black and white photo of two men and a women looking to camera
    Article

    Object in Focus: Mary Watts's Recipe Book

    5 January 2018
  3. A green gallery with artworks on the wall and a wooden table with a glass case, filled with objects
    Article

    Mary Watts Gallery Tour

    15 December 2021

Collection objects

  1. Terracotta version of Clytie on a terracotta plinth in the sunken garden outside Watts Gallery
    Collection object

    The Potters’ Arts Guild at Compton, Clytie in the sunken garden, early 20th century

  2. Blue and green bowl with yellow inside decorated with a red and green dragon on the outside
    Collection object

    The Potters’ Arts Guild at Compton, Dragon Bowl, 1936

  3. Brightly coloured circular pendant with lion on
    Collection object

    The Potters’ Arts Guild at Compton, Pendants

  4. Yellow toned ceramic plaque with a knight and horse
    Collection object

    The Potters’ Arts Guild at Compton, Plaques

  5. A green wall with five terracotta pottery pieces mounted
    Collection object

    The Potters’ Arts Guild at Compton, Garden Pots