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The true cost of studio pottery – The Teapot Test Explained.

Understanding the true value of handmade ceramics – through one of the most iconic (and time-consuming) forms: the teapot.

Anyone who has spent time around professional potters knows one surprising truth: pricing their work is one of the hardest parts of the job. For those unfamiliar with the world of studio pottery, it might seem straightforward – materials + time + firing = cost. But as anyone in the industry will tell you, it’s far more complicated than that.

Let’s take the humble teapot as an example.

The Teapot Test – What It Really Takes to Make One

On paper, the materials required to make a teapot are inexpensive. Clay, glaze, and firing costs are relatively low. But the process of making a handmade teapot – especially a functional and beautiful one – is lengthy, delicate, and filled with risk.

A potter making a small batch of 10 teapots might spend:

  • 30 minutes preparing and weighing the clay
  • 3 to 4 hours per teapot throwing the body, lid, and spout, trimming the pieces when leather hard, assembling them, and pulling and attaching the handle
  • Up to an hour decorating each teapot by hand
  • Then comes the double firing: a biscuit (bisque) fire, followed by waxing, glazing, reloading, and a final glaze firing
  • Each firing carries risk – teapots might warp, crack, or stick to the kiln shelf
  • Finally, there’s finishing, packing, and preparing the teapot for sale

By the time it reaches the gallery or fair, a single handmade teapot can represent over four and a half hours of skilled labour – and that doesn’t include the years of training and mastery behind every movement.

The Cost of Handmade Pottery vs. What It’s Worth

A reasonable hourly rate for a trained artisan – with years of education and practice – might be £50. That’s less than many plumbers or mechanics charge. So in real terms, a teapot should be priced at £250 or more just to reflect the time and skill involved.

And yet, you can buy a beautiful teapot from the world-famous Leach Pottery in St Ives for £122. In fact, many well-known UK potters undercharge for their work.

When asked why, they often say:

  • “I enjoy making them.”
  • “No one would pay what they’re really worth.”
But what other profession tolerates that logic? If you’ve ever questioned why some artists charge £500 or more for a collectable pottery teapot, consider what you’re really paying for. In the case of Walter Keeler, for instance, you’re not just buying a vessel – you’re buying over 50 years of experience, innovation and ceramic mastery. Why should that cost less than a signed art print?

Why Studio Potters Undervalue Their Work

There’s a long-standing cultural challenge in the UK around pricing studio pottery. Unlike the fine art world – where limited-edition prints can command high prices regardless of the process behind them – handmade ceramics are still too often viewed as ‘craft’ rather than art. And many potters themselves are the first to undersell their work. It’s not about modesty – it’s about a deep connection to the making process, and a fear that honest pricing might alienate buyers. As a result, many supplement their income by teaching or taking commissions, rather than relying solely on pottery sales.

Understanding the Value of Collectable Ceramics

There is growing appreciation for collectable ceramics and the work of British potters, particularly as collectors seek alternatives to mass-produced goods. Still, when you’re at a fair or browsing studio pottery for sale online, it’s worth keeping in mind that you’re not buying an object – you’re buying:

  • A completely unique item
  • Hours of precise, manual craftsmanship
  • Years (sometimes decades) of honed skill
  • A meaningful connection to the maker
Compare that to a £500 limited-edition print – likely printed and signed without the artist even seeing the final product – and the value proposition of a handmade teapot becomes even more compelling.

A Message to Buyers: Respect the Price

The next time you’re at a ceramics fair, resist the urge to haggle over the price of a handmade teapot. Instead, take a moment to consider:

  • The time it took to make
  • The thoughtfulness of every detail – from the pulled handle to the perfect pour
  • The fact that the potter was intimately involved at every stage of the process
  • And above all, the reality that the price on the label is likely far less than what it’s truly worth
Buying collectable pottery isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about recognising and valuing a living tradition of craft.

Final Thoughts

For over 15 years, Online Ceramics has been showcasing the best of studio pottery UK. Through its curated selection of teapots, bowls, plates, and sculptural pieces, it celebrates not just beautiful forms, but the extraordinary effort behind them. If you’re looking for studio pottery for sale, you’re not just shopping – you’re supporting the future of handmade craftsmanship. And that’s something truly worth investing in.

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