Australian Ceramics Triennale 09

National Museum of Australian Pottery

19th and Early 20th Century Australian Pottery

The National Museum of Australian Pottery is the only Museum dedicated to 19th and early 20th century Australian pottery and is the culmination of many years of collecting and research throughout Australia. On display are over 1,200 pieces of domestic pottery from over 120 Australian pottery companies established between European settlement and the end of World War I, (1918).

Amongst the extensive range of pottery wares, such as simple preserving jars, jugs, colourful cheese covers, beautiful bread plates and elegantly decorated water filters are a few rare examples of pottery made by the convict potter Jonathan Leak, whose few surviving pieces are the earliest marked pottery produced in Australia. Also on display are over 100 original photographs, showing the interior and exterior of many potteries, exhibition displays and portraits of the potters along with catalogues, price lists and numerous old advertisements.