Two page speech in Leach's hand, written in ink across two sheets of card. Each sheet is printed on the other side with an advertisement for the Crafts Centre of Great Britain's 'Exhibitions of Fine Craftsmanship', Berkeley Square, London. There is a little toning and marking, otherwise condition is very good.
An address penned by Leach to be read at 'the seventh exhibition in London of pottery made by Mr Hamada'. In it, Leach praises Hamada as 'the best potter in the world today', and one of the few 'artist craftsmen who with deep understanding of the cultures of the two hemispheres has succeeded in making an integrated combination of both'. He notably describes Hamada's stoneware pots as 'the natural expression of a whole Japanese man, heart, head and hand', and ends by highlighting the Japanese government's recent decision to honour Hamada as an 'intangible living cultural asset'. A wonderful item illustrating the close relationship between two of the most influential figures in the history of studio ceramics.
Stock code: 16707
£480
Original Manuscript.
1963