Pilgrimage

2024

Porcelain, glaze, cobalt oxide, gold leaf

Various sizes, average approx 12cm h x 8cm w

Pilgrimage is a response to a group visit to Haytor on Dartmoor. With the paths through the bracken towards the tor and different individuals and groups walking up the hill, there was the sense of people making a pilgrimage to a special place.

Dartmoor is an important source of kaolin (china clay), the key ingredient in porcelain, which has been revered in China for over 1,000 years and was known as ‘white gold’ in Europe from the 1500s. William Cookworthy was the first person in England to work out the recipe, at his factory in Plymouth.

The 27 vessels reflect the number of people in the visiting group and the porcelain clay body was made by Tom to a standard recipe, but with the china clay (54%) coming directly from Dartmoor. It was kindly donated by Sibelco Ltd at Cornwood.