Svend Bayer

Svend began working with Michael Cardew at Wenford Bridge on 1st May 1969 after studying Geography and Economics at Exeter University. He stayed until August 1972 and during the latter stages of his time there he was allowed to stamp work with his own SB seal as well as that of the Wenford Bridge pottery. Several years were spent gaining experience at Brannams in Barnstaple, the Far East and the States before he bought Duckpool Cottage where he continues to work to this day. His first firing at Duckpool took place in 1976 and up until the mid 1990s he marked his work with an SB seal but since then his work has been unmarked.

The large jug above dates from 1999.

Small wheelthrown stoneware yunomi, woodfired with lustrous brown persimmon glaze. Unmarked. 4.9cm (height) 7.9cm (diameter). Quite the most beautiful glaze I've seen in a long while. I have a Wenford Bridge bowl of a similar size which reminds me very much of this piece so it was no surprise to discover that Svend worked there. His recent show at Goldmark was awesome, saw the stuff just after it had arrived, the little celadon bottles were my favourites.

A wood-fired jar with 4 strap handles made by Svend in 1989.



Yes, that is his seal, which he was still using then, that you can see on the mouth of the jar.

A close up of the seal.

Watched Svend Bayer building a large pot at Hatfield this year. It really made me appreciate the physical effort involved in preparing the clay and building something of this size compared to the smaller wheel thrown items we tend to see being made in videos, which seem to just spring up as if by magic.

7" High Pitcher

He had some beautiful tenmoku bowls at Hatfield, but I'd already spent my budget.

and a Sveeeend Bayeeeeerrrr Plate

Jug

His jug rim/spout shape is iconic, especially when accompanied by the wood fired body so there's no doubt it's by him. But there was disquiet amongst collectors when his student Charlie Collier made a set of anagama fired jugs in a very similar shape (see example here - http://pin.it/glgwrIp ), but I think they were marked. But, yes, the lack of a mark on his other pieces has put me off buying them at fairs like Hatfield

Yes, he was selling off a number of small oil spot glazed bowls one year, and I wouldn't like to try to ID them at a later date when there are so many other potters doing the same thing both here and in Japan and the States

Bottle vase.  
Special set of bottles and mugs made this year and sold in aid of the Kigbeare Anagama Kiln project. Nicely marked with Svend Bayer and Kigbeare stamps.  

I visited yesterday afternoon and apparently there had been a queue at his stall first thing in the morning so a lot had already been sold. I wish I'd bought something's but had already blown my budget.