Potters at Rye, an original watercolour by Dennis Townsend

Included are original documents relating to Denis Townsend, founder of Iden Pottery

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

This is a loose watercolour and pencil sketch of potters in Rye by Dennis Townsend, along with various original documents relating to Dennis Townsend. The watercolour is unsigned but titled and dated lower right, "Rye Potts", the date is indistinct but could be 1955. It measures 25 × 40cm, and has a very loose pencil sketch of a house to the reverse.

Dennis Townsend (b.1933) was a potter at Rye Pottery, joining as an apprentice in 1947. After National Service, he wasnt able to work full-time at Rye Pottery so established Iden Pottery, in a nearby village, and best known for its excellent stoneware.

Included are two school certificates from Rye Modern School awarded to Dennis Townsend for swimming, an RAF certificate of merit to Dennis for outstanding ability as a teleprinter operator, and his RAF discharge certificate, dated 1956.

Condition

The watercolour is in fair condition only, with wear to all edges, the worst being a 4cm closed tear from the right hand side, but this could be closed and much less visible if framed. Some light spotted foxing to the bottom section. This is a working sketch and as such a snapshot of the potters rather than a polished work, but remains an interesting item.

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