Viewing Room
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Maureen Minchin
20th February 2026
A Collection of Works
A Collection of Works
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Large Shallow Dish with otter, herons and flag iris, earthenware, 6.5(h) x 40.5(dia)cm
I have loved and collected the work of Maureen Minchin since the early 1990’s and now have a cherished personal collection of my own. Maureen retired from making pots a few years ago, but I still sell her work when the opportunity presents itself and I always give a percentage of the selling price back to Maureen. I am not alone in my admiration for Maureen’s ceramics and over the years I have known many customers to my galleries who have become serious collectors. But life moves on and circumstances change and so treasured pieces appear again for sale. This collection of 34 pieces has come from previous customers to my gallery in Cambridge and to the Castle Gallery in Inverness. |
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This includes a large deep bowl, a small jug and a large jug which are characteristic of Maureen’s earlier style from the late 1990s with space between the motifs showing more of the cream glaze and giving a more open design. As Maureen’s decorative style developed, she included many more animals, birds, bugs, plants and flowers in each composition.
Large Deep Bowl with goose and poppies, earthenware, 10(h) x 33(dia)cm
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Large Jug with hare and poppies, earthenware, 25(h) x 17(w) with handle 18(w)cm
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Large Shallow Dish with badgers, woodpeckers, an owl and a fox, earthenware, 6.5(h) x 43(dia)cm
Of particular significance are the two impressive large shallow dishes with striking and unique designs. It is rare for chargers of this size to become available and they are, without doubt, collectors’ pieces. |
Maureen spent her earlier potting years in various studios including that of Lotte Glob at the Balnakiel Craft Village in Sutherland and the Dartington Pottery Training Workshop. She then set up her own workshops in East Anglia where she trialled various techniques including salt-glaze and raku before settling on her characteristic red earthenware with sgraffito drawings and underglaze colours. She combines the superb technical skill of a production potter with the confident fluid line drawings of a fine artist. In Maureen’s work we see beauty in everyday objects.
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Sketches for tiles
Her work has a distinctive charm influenced by place and her deep connection to the natural environment. Whilst living in the south-east of England she painted hares, kingfishers and the other wildlife, flora and fauna found around her. Her work shows great sensitivity to the smallest of creatures such as click beetles and tiger moths and her appreciation of native wildflowers including the bog asphodel. A move to the remote peninsula of Ardnamurchan on Scotland’s west coast at the turn of the century opened new opportunities for observing and drawing mountain hares, dotterels, capercaillie, salmon, stags, otters, ptarmigan and puffins. However, Maureen’s favourite creature must be the goose. She has kept these birds in her garden for many years and when visiting the studio workshop one is greeted by their imposing presence. The goose appears in many forms on her work, as a drawing, a sculpted finial atop a lid or as a decorative motif at a handle join.
Footed, Lidded Jar with goose finial, earthenware, 22.5(h) x 12(dia)cm
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Maureen has lived on Scotland’s remote Atlantic coast for over 25 years with her partner John, enjoying walks on the moors and down to the bay with spectacular views over to the islands. However, at the same time she has kept in touch with her favourite gallery owners down south including Simon Drew in Dartmouth and Richard Dennis in London and Somerset. Her large, lidded pots and chargers appeared in a Bonham’s auction in London in 2014 and sold for several thousands of pounds.
In Scotland, Maureen shows with the Castle Gallery in Inverness, continuing a long friendship of over 30 years.
Denise Collins
Director, Castle Gallery
In Scotland, Maureen shows with the Castle Gallery in Inverness, continuing a long friendship of over 30 years.
Denise Collins
Director, Castle Gallery