A one-off hand made piece. Earthenware decorated with white background slip, stamped clay decoration, slip trailed rim, and an amber glaze. Stamped on reverse.

Matt Grimmitt has created a collection of earthenware candle sconces using the slipware technique. Inspired by medieval and Elizabethan designs, the patterns include people, vegetables, flowers and patterns, all illuminated by a beeswax candle - absolutely beautiful. 

Advice for hanging: The sconce has a hole for hanging. Make sure the sconce is fully secure before lighting a candle. Once lit, the top of the sconce can become very hot, please do not move or touch the sconce when lit and until fully cooled. We recommend hanging the sconce approximately three feet from the ceiling and to keep away from any curtains or other items that could come into the vicinity of the candle. Never leave a burning candle unattended.

I’ve been making hand-thrown pots for almost 20 years, having spent over half of my career as a potter and manager at the historic Winchcombe Pottery in rural Gloucestershire between 2012 and 2024.

I grew up knowing that my family had worked as potters at both Leckhampton and Winchcombe Potteries, but my first exposure to studio pottery was seeing the pots of Michael Cardew, Elijah Comfort and Sidney Tustin. They struck me immediately as beautiful pots that seemed to fit into the countryside that they were made in and that I was brought up in.

I returned to making slipware pots in March 2024 from my own workshop in Evesham. When I first started making pots, it didn’t take long for me to realise that I had a true passion for traditional slipware pottery, especially old, functional country pottery. I make ceramics that have roots in historic pottery and also sit within the Leach tradition - pots that have contemporary uses in today’s home. My work is mostly thrown from red earthenware clay and decorated using clay slips with warm honey-coloured glazes.