The Phaidon The Pot Book

An extraordinary survey of ceramics spanning over thirty thousand years, curated by the famed artist and writer Edmund de Waal

An extraordinary survey of ceramics spanning over thirty thousand years, curated by the famed artist and writer Edmund de Waal

The history of ceramics is ingrained in the history of humankind. Among the earliest crafts to develop, ceramic artifacts date back to the late Paleolithic period, revealing the prominence of this medium in our everyday lives and those of our predecessors.

The Pot Book is a stunning survey of over 300 ceramic objects created across eras and around the world. Curated by artist and writer Edmund de Waal, the diverse selection includes jugs, vases, plates, beakers, amphorae, and more.

Entries range from the simple to the sublime: a hand-painted jug by an unnamed Chinese artisan that dates back to the third millennium BC; a delicate porcelain plate from eighteenth-century Copenhagen; a playful vase by the influential Italian designer Ettore Sottsass; contemporary artworks by Phoebe Collings-James, Theaster Gates, Simone Leigh, and Grayson Perry ; and other fascinating objects.

Each entry is represented with a dedicated full page featuring a large-scale image accompanied by key details and insightful, engaging text. Each entry is sequenced in alphabetical order by the name of the artist/potter, the school, or style, creating a grand tour through the very finest examples of the art form.