Studio Pottery Bottle Vase, Stuart Bass (c.1960)

A studio pottery bottle vase, by Stuart Bass for Exmoor Pottery made in the 1960s.

Stuart Bass is an acclaimed English studio potter who became a prominent figure in the North Devon ceramic scene during the mid-to-late 20th century. Best known for operating Exmoor Pottery, his work transitions from practical Mid-Century Modern domestic ware to highly collectible, whimsical ceramic sculptures.

Each bottle made by Bass carried a unique abstract design.

H 30cm x W 6cm

Not currently available online - please contact us if you are interested in this item.

About the Artist

Born the youngest of four children to a Scottish father and an Irish mother, Bass inherited his artistic talents from a grandmother who painted and composed music. 

He formally trained at the Bideford School of Art in Devon during the 1950s, a region steeped in traditional slipware history. He completed a rigorous four-year course, earning a National Diploma in Design for Pottery.

Following his studies, he spent time at Buckfast Abbey, crafting specialised pottery pieces for the resident monks. He also completed local commissions, including a large terracotta plaque of 'Christ in Majesty' for Mariansleigh Church.

Bass established his independent studio, Exmoor Pottery, in the market town of South Molton, North Devon. His early career focused heavily on domestic slipware. He utilized local clays and traditional slip-trailing methods, modernising them with vibrant 1960s and 70s colour combinations like striking orange-and-black glazes.

Over time, his work evolved from strict geometric abstractions into quirky, charming animal designs. Long-eared owls, fish, herons, and stylised badgers became recurring hallmarks of his plates, chargers, and jugs

In the 1990s, Bass relocated his family to nearby George Nympton while maintaining his South Molton retail shop. In 1996, he made a major strategic shift, closing off distribution to standard UK shops to focus entirely on a lucrative and dedicated market in the United States.

Bass achieved international renown among niche collectors for his highly detailed, figural pie birds (the American term for a pie funnel used to vent steam). He was invited to the US to design the official commission piece for the 1996 Pie Bird Convention. His creative, animal-shaped funnels remain his most globally traded and valuable items today.