The History of Ceramics

HENI Talks
  • 4.8 (25)
  • History
  • Updated Weekly

The History of Ceramics brings together British art historian & curator Paul Greenhalgh and U.S. maker and academic Stephanie Rozene as they reveal the most compelling stories from this often-overlooked corner of art history.  From the very first shards that shed light on early civilizations, to stories of power, political intrigue and espionage.  Famous artists, extraordinary characters, pioneers and rebels from the world of pottery, architecture and design.  Full of revelation, insight and practical expertise, The History of Ceramics offers an alternative history to our times.

  1. 10h ago ·  Video

    Bernard Leach - The Making of a Master - Part 1 - Japan

    How did an English artist in Japan become one of the most influential figures in modern ceramics? In the first of our three-part series on Bernard Leach, we explore the extraordinary early years that shaped his life and work. From his return to Japan and his first encounters with pottery to his friendship with Shōji Hamada, we discover how Japanese culture transformed Leach's understanding of what a pot could be. This is the story of the meeting of East and West — and how the ideas Leach discovered in Japan would eventually help change the course of modern ceramics. To see images of the ceramics being discussed in this podcast, please switch to video in your podcasting app. Featured Artwork: Bernard Leach and bookcase, Tokyo, 1917-1919  Bernard Leach, A Potters Book, 1940 Bernard Leach with grandparents in Japan, c. 1890 Frank Brangwyn, by Reinhold Thiele, c 1900 John Ruskin, by W. & D. Downey, 1863 William Morris by Frederick Hollyer, 1887 Leaping Salmon Vase, c.1950, Bernard Leach; Okinawa Style Teabowl, c.1970, Shōji Hamada, Oxford Ceramics Gallery Harmony in Blue and Gold, The Peacock Room, by James McNeill Whistler, 1834-1903, Public Domain Temple of Heaven, Peking, 1916, printed signature in the plate Bernard Leach 1916,  Public Domain Photograph of rural Japan, C.1900, Public Domain Early Raku Vase, Bernard Leach, c.1925 Raku Firing Kiln Portrait of Ogata Kenzan VI, by Bernard Leach, 1924 Mokko-shaped Food Bowl, by Uruno Shigekichi, 1881-1923 Cup, Ogata Kenzan, 18th Century Photo of Shõji Hamada, 1894-1978 Photo of Sõetsu Yanagi, 1889-1961 Photo of Bernard Leach with Shõji Hamada & Sõetsu Yanagi, Dartington 1952 Cup and Signed Box, Shõji Hamada Large Dish, Shõji Hamada Stoneware Bottle, Shoji Hamada Hamada’s Kiln in Moshiko, Creative Commons License, CC3.0 Unknown Craftsman, Sõetsu Yanagi , 1972 Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Bernard Leach - The Making of a Master 00:03:57 Early Life: Colonial Beginnings and Artistic Awakening 00:12:01 The Arts and Crafts Movement: Ruskin, Morris, and Moral Philosophy 00:15:15 Japan's Meiji Period: Transformation and Cultural Identity 00:18:10 Return to Japan: Teaching Etching and Finding Community 00:23:52 The Raku Party: A Life-Changing Moment 00:27:05 Training with Kenzan VI: Entering the Japanese Pottery Tradition 00:28:57 Hamada and Yanagi: The Birth of Mingei 00:30:57 Philosophical Foundations: Arts of the People 00:33:30 The Bold Decision: Sailing for St. Ives Credits: Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Editor: Sam Bond Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac

    Bernard Leach - The Making of a Master - Part 1 - Japan

  2. Aug 12 ·  Video

    Secrets of The Japanese Tea Ceremony

    In 16th century Japan, a bowl of tea could get you killed. This episode traces the birth of the Ancient Japanese tea ceremony and the aesthetic of wabi-sabi, or the art of finding beauty in imperfection. Paul and Stephanie tell the story of tea master Sen no Rikyu, whose humble, handmade Raku bowls stood in defiance of warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi's golden excess, in a tale of philosophy, political power, and two tea masters who paid for their art with their lives. To see the pots Stephanie and Paul are discussing in this episode, be sure to switch to video in your podcast app. Featured Artworks Toyotomi Hideyoshi, by Kanō Mitsunobu, 1598, Public Domain Sen No Rikyū, by Tōhaku Hasegawa,1595, Public Domain   Sen no Rikyū's Tai-an Teahouse, Kyoto, Japan, 1952   Black Raku ware tea bowl, late 16th century, The Smithsonian, CC0 Black Raku Tea Bowl, Named “Kaedegure” (Twilight by the Maples), attributed to Raku Cojiro, late 16th Century, The Met Collection, Public Domain Furuta Oribe,  c. 17th Century Square Serving Dish with Bail Handle,  late 16th century, Asia Society Museum, Public Domain Sake Bottle (Tokkuri) with Decoration of Three-Leaf Arrowhead, Early 17th century, Public Domain  Credits: Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Editor: Sam Bond Sound Mix and Engineering: Joseph Little Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Secrets of The Japanese Tea Ceremony 00:01:41 Origins of Tea in Japan: From Monasteries to Cultural Power 00:03:00 The Political Tea Ceremony: Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Vision 00:05:09 Wabi Sabi: The Perfection of Imperfection 00:09:23 Sen no Rikyu: The Master Who Stripped Away Ego 00:11:17 The Tea Ceremony Experience 00:14:45 Chojiro and Raku Ware: Hand-Built Tea Bowls 00:19:47 The Death of Sen no Rikyu: When Simplicity Threatened Power 00:24:03 Furuta Oribe: A Warrior's Energy Transforms the Ceremony 00:26:17 Oribe Ware: Chaos, Asymmetry, and the Happy Accident 00:32:35 The Second Suicide: Oribe's Violent End 00:35:23 Legacy: Wabi Sabi and the Birth of Studio Ceramics

    Secrets of The Japanese Tea Ceremony

  3. Aug 5 ·  Video

    Bernard Palissy - Obsession, Faith and Myth

    Bernard Palissy was an artist, scientist, inventor and one of the most extraordinary figures in the history of ceramics. Driven by religious faith, a fascination with nature, and an obsession to discover the secret of white enamel, he devoted years to relentless experimentation, sacrificing his fortune, and burning almost everything he owned in pursuit of perfection. In this episode Paul Greenhalgh and Stephanie Rozene uncover the remarkable life of the French Renaissance potter whose distinctive rustic wares transformed European ceramics.  Featured Artworks: Self Portrait in Faience, Bernard Palissy, 1862  Rustique figuline, attributed to Bernard Palissy, French c.1560, J. Paul Getty Museum. ‘Rustique Figuline’ Dish with a white background, Bernard Palissy, c. 1550, National Ceramic Museum Maiolica Plate, Italian, ca. 1500, The Met Collection, Public Domain Bowl, Majolica, Italian, 1480-1500, The V&A Collection Dish, Bernard Palissy, 17th century, The Met Collection, Public Domain Plaque depicting Bernard Palissy, Multiple Artists and Makers, 1846, The Met Collection, Public Domain Pilgrim Flask, Bernard Palissy, 1556-67, The Met Collection, Public Domain Still-life platter, Bernard Palissy, c. 1550, Dish, Bernard Palissy, c. 1580,  Moule, Fragment, 16th century, Musee du Louvre Grenouille de fontaine, Atelier de Bernard Palissy, 1565-1610, Musee du Louvre Château de la Bâstie d'Urfé, France, 1550 Henry II, King of France, François Clouet, 1559 Catherine de' Medici, François Clouet, c. 1560 Fontaine en forme de dauphin, 1600-1650, Musee du Louvre Ewer, Saint Porchaire Ware, c. 1550, The Met Collection, Public Domain Mould of Palissy Basin, Musee du Louvre Tazza with cover, Mid 16th century, The Met Collection, Public Domain La Nourrice, Guillaume Dupré (unconfirmed), c. 1640, The Met Collection, Public Domain Plate, Manner of Bernard Palissy, Late 19th century, The Met Collection, Public Domain Platter, Follower of Bernard Palissy, Last Quarter 16th Century, The Met Collection, Public Domain Platter, Manner of Bernard Palissy, 2nd half of 19th Century, The Met Collection, Public Domain Round Plate with Lobster, Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, 1889, The Met Collection, Public Domain Turkey, Bordallo Pinheiro Factory,19th Century Artichoke Jar, Bordallo Pinheiro Factory Cabbage Ware, Bordallo Pinheiro Factory Round Dish with Lobster and Shells, Thomas Victor-Sergent, 1870-80, The Met Collection, Public Domain Large Basin with Snake, Ferns, and Bark, Charles-Jean Avisseau, C. 1850-55, The Met Collection, Public Domain Credits: Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Editor: Sam Bond Sound Mix and Engineering: Joe Little Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Bernard Palissy - Obsession, Faith and Myth 00:02:13 A Troubled Age: France in Religious Turmoil 00:04:24 Early Life: The Self-Taught Rustique 00:12:08 The Catalytic Moment: Falling in Love with a Cup 00:17:07 Obsession and Sacrifice: Burning the Floorboards 00:20:03 The Rustiques Figulines: Nature Cast in Clay 00:24:18 Royal Patronage: Catherine de Medici and the Court 00:26:16 The Saint-Porchaire Mystery: A Lost Attribution 00:29:20 Public Intellectual: Lecturer on Science and Nature 00:30:54 Dangerous Faith: The Huguenot Who Wouldn't Hide 00:32:41 The Bastille: A Tragic End 00:33:22 Legacy: From Sons to Revival 00:34:33 Attribution Challenges: Real, School, or Revival? 00:39:37 Eternal Inspiration: Palissy's Enduring Impact

    Bernard Palissy - Obsession, Faith and Myth

  4. Jul 29 ·  Video

    The Ming Dynasty - When Porcelain Became Power

    This week Paul Greenhalgh and Stephanie Rozene explore the extraordinary ceramics of the Ming Dynasty, the period that established China as the world's greatest producer of porcelain. From the famous blue-and-white wares of Jingdezhen to magnificent imperial commissions and the global trade that carried Chinese porcelain across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, we uncover how Ming potters achieved levels of craftsmanship that have rarely been surpassed. We also discover how these exquisite objects became symbols of wealth, power, and cultural exchange, inspiring generations of potters around the world. Emperor Hongwu (21 October 1328 – 24 June 1398) – Public Domain Monks Cape Ewer, 1368-1644, The Met Collection, Public Domain Bowl with Chrysanthemums, late 14th Century, The Met Collection, Public Domain Porcelain Plate with Animals, mid 14th Century, The Met Collection, Public Domain Jar with Dragon, 1426-1435, The Met Collection, Public Domain Bowl with Pomegranates, lotus scrolls, and chrysanthemum Petals, early 15th century, Public Domain Flask with Medallion, early 15th century, The Met Collection, Public Domain Credits: Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Editor: Jim Fuller & Sam Bond Sound Engineer and Mixer: Joe Little Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: The Ming Dynasty - When Porcelain Became Power 00:02:36 The Rise of Emperor Hongwu: From Peasant to Power 00:14:19 Technical Mastery: Copper Reds and Chrysanthemum Bowls 00:16:38 Infrastructure and Imperial Ambition: Building the Ming Empire 00:23:00 Emperor Yongle and the Golden Age of Blue and White 00:21:06 The Dragon Jar: Symbolism, Status, and Visual Mastery 00:28:11 Islamic Influences: Cross-Cultural Design and Pattern 00:33:13 The Great Voyages: Porcelain as White Gold 00:36:47 The Inward Turn: Crisis, Capture, and Conservative Retreat 00:41:54 Legacy: Jingdezhen and the Story Written in Glaze

    The Ming Dynasty - When Porcelain Became Power

  5. Jul 22 ·  Video

    The Tang Dynasty - Treasures from the Tomb

    This week Paul Greenhalgh and Stephanie Rozene explore the remarkable ceramics of the Tang Dynasty, one of China's greatest periods of artistic innovation. We venture down into the depths of their magnificent tombs and discover the wonders of their funerary wares. Ceramics creations that capture life in the Imperial Court from dancers, polo players, concubines, warriors and magnificent horses. These treasures open a window into a golden period of Chinese history but also show how the Tang potters transformed the art of clay and influenced ceramic traditions around the world. FEATURED ARTWORKS IN THIS EPISODE: Emperor Li Yuan, 618-626, unknown, Public Domain Excerpt from the handscroll Viewing the Pass List, c. 1540 by Qiu Ying Tang Court Playing Polo, 706AD, Public Domain Cosmetics Box, 8th Century, The Met Collection, Public Domain Figure of a Horse, 700-750, The British Museum, Public Domain Amphora, Late 7th Century, The Met Collection, Public Domain Covered Jar, 8thcentury, The Met Collection, Public Domain Set of Ten Entertainers and Two Dancers, 618-907, Miho Museum, Public Domain Camel and Rider, 701-750, Art Institute of Chicago, Public Domain Horse and Rider, early 8th Century, The Met Collection, Public Domain Camel with Musicians, 723, National Museum of China, Public Domain Horse with Lead Glaze, 728, The British Museum, Public Domain Seated Court Lady, 8th Century, the Met Collection, Public Domain Female Attendant, Mid 7th Century, The Met Collection, Public Domain Female Attendant, 7th-8th Century, The Met Collection, Public Domain Seated girl holding Mirror, first half 8th Century, Art Institute Chicago, Public Domain Polo Player, ca. 618-907, Public Domain Young Female Polo Player,  early 8th Century, Musée Guimet Female Polo Player, c. 750, Musée Guimet For more great art content visit www.heni.com or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks Credits: Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Editor: Jim Fuller & Sam Bond Sound Engineer: Joe Little Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Tang Dynasty - A Golden Age of Chinese Ceramics 00:00:35 Context: From Terracotta Warriors to Tang Dynasty 00:01:33 The Tang Renaissance: Arts, Innovation, and the Birth of Porcelain 00:07:27 Emperor Li Yuan and the Reunification of China 00:09:40 Cosmopolitan Influences: Turkish Origins and Foreign Ideas 00:10:27 The Qianling Mausoleum: Royal Graves and Funerary Traditions 00:16:37 Craft and Technique: How the Figurines Were Made 00:18:58 Sancai Glaze: The Three-Colour Ceramic Revolution 00:22:10 Masterworks: The Covered Jar and Ewer 00:24:00 Ten Musicians and Two Dancers: Capturing Movement in Clay 00:25:44 Colour Theory and Cultural Openness in Tang Art 00:26:47 The Silk Road and Sea Trade: Expanding Horizons 00:28:02 Camels and Foreigners: Depicting a Cosmopolitan World 00:29:07 What Makes a Tang Dynasty Piece? Poise, Pride, and Individuality 00:30:36 The Camel with Five Musicians: A Traveling Band 00:33:10 Heavenly Horses: The Prized Steeds of the Tang Dynasty 00:37:17 Court Life and Leisure: Snapshots of Tang Society 00:39:43 Women Playing Polo: Sport, Warfare Training, and Social Inclusion 00:40:55 Equality and Sophistication: Women in Tang Society 00:42:11 Conclusion: Windows into the Tang World

    The Tang Dynasty - Treasures from the Tomb

  6. Jul 16 ·  Video

    Lucie Rie & Hans Coper - Clay, Courage and Reinvention - Part 2

    This week we continue the story by following the extraordinary journey of Hans Coper, a man who arrived in Britain as a refugee with no experience of pottery, yet went on to become one of the greatest ceramic artists of the modern age. Forced to flee Nazi Germany as a teenager, Hans Coper rebuilt his life from scratch in wartime Britain. When he began working in Lucie Rie's studio, he discovered not only a new craft but an entirely new way of expressing himself. Although Rie taught him the fundamentals of working with clay, Coper soon developed a powerful artistic language all his own creating bold, sculptural vessels that blurred the boundaries between pottery and sculpture. In this episode, we explore Coper's remarkable transformation from refugee to internationally celebrated artist, the creative partnership and lifelong friendship he shared with Lucie Rie, and the innovations that changed the direction of modern ceramics forever. More than a story about beautiful objects, this is a story of resilience, identity, and the extraordinary power of art to reshape a life. Join Stephanie Rozene and Paul Greenhalgh as they uncover the life and work of Hans Coper and discover how a man who began with no training in ceramics became one of the defining voices of twentieth-century studio pottery. IMAGES FOR HANS COPER EPISODE: Lucie Rie, Bronzed bowls from the 1980s Photograph by Sylvain Deleu © Estate of the artist/The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation Hans Coper, A group of Cycladic forms, late- 1970s – early-1970s Photograph by Sylvain Deleu © Estate of the artist/The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation Hans Coper, Early composite form, c.1950 and Large jug, c.1953 Photograph by Sylvain Deleu © Estate of the artist/The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation Hans Coper, Portrait of Lucie Rie, conceived c.1953 Photograph by Sylvain Deleu © Estate of the artist/The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation Hans Coper, Ovoid pot c.1970, Small ovoid pot, c.1972 and Ovoid pot, c.1972 Photograph by Sylvain Deleu © Estate of the artist/The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation Monumental Altar Candlesticks, Coventry Cathedral, by Hans Coper, Image courtesy of Julian Osley – CC BY-SA 2.0 ADDITIONAL WORKS: Bernard Leach, Thrown Bowl, 1973 Provided by York Museum https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 Bernard Leach Studio St Ives https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ Henry Moore, Three Way Piece No. 2 ( The Archer), 1964-65 On display in front of Toronto City Hall since 1966 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/sa/1.0/ Henry Moore, Large Reclining Figure 1982 (LH 192b), fibreglass. As of 2004 sited outside the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. On loan from the Henry Moore Foundation. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ Brâncuși's Paris studio, 1920,  Photograph by Edward Steichen, Public Domain Constantin Brancusi, The Kiss, 1907-08, Public Domain PHOTOGRAPHS: Lucie Rie and Hans Coper in front of Albion Mews, 1950s Photograph by Jane Coper © Estate of Jane Coper /The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation Image Courtesy of the Crafts Study Centre, University for the Creative Arts, Farnham Lucie Rie and Hans Coper in front of Albion (B&W) Mews, early 1950s Photograph by Jane Coper © Estate of Jane Coper /The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation Lucie Rie and Hans Coper, 1959-69 (in vehicle) Photograph by Jane Coper © Estate of Jane Coper /The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation Hans Coper, Albion Mews, c.1956 Photograph by Jane Coper © Estate of Jane Coper /The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation Hans Coper, Albion Mews, c.1967 Photograph by Jane Coper © Estate of Jane Coper /The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation ‘Lucie Rie / Hans Coper: Life at the Wheel’ will be at Offer Waterman in London from 18 September - 31 October 2026. For more great art content visit www.heni.com or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks Credits: Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Editor: Fraser Watson Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Hans Coper Arrives at Lucy Rie's Door 00:01:49 Hans Coper's Early Life: A Comfortable Beginning in Germany 00:03:04 The Nazi Rise: A Childhood Shattered 00:06:04 Escape from Germany: Hanging from a Moving Train 00:09:13 Internment and the Pioneer Corps: Survival in Canada and Britain 00:12:53 Gone with the Wind: The Day That Changed Everything 00:13:33 The Button Factory: A Hive of Refugee Activity 00:17:39 Learning the Potter's Wheel: A Natural Talent Emerges 00:22:11 The Relationship: Big Sister, Younger Brother 00:27:48 Two Different Visions: Potter vs. Sculptor 00:30:29 The Aesthetic: Delicate Bowls and Textured Monuments 00:34:47 Teaching Philosophies: Steel Fist vs. Graceful Integrity 00:38:43 Architectural Commissions: From Pots to Coventry Cathedral 00:41:28 Legacy: Changing the Direction of British Ceramics

    Lucie Rie & Hans Coper - Clay, Courage and Reinvention - Part 2

  7. Jul 8 ·  Video

    Lucie Rie & Hans Coper - Clay, Courage and Reinvention - Part 1

    This week on The History of Ceramics, we begin the remarkable story of two artists who transformed the course of modern ceramics. Our journey starts with the extraordinary life of Lucie Rie. Born into the rich cultural world of Vienna, Lucie Rie was already an accomplished ceramic artist when the rise of Nazism forced her to leave everything behind. Arriving in London as a refugee in 1938, she faced the daunting challenge of rebuilding her life and career in an unfamiliar country. Yet through determination, technical brilliance, and an unmistakable artistic vision, she would become one of the defining figures of twentieth-century ceramics. In this episode, we explore Rie's early life in Vienna, the artistic influences that shaped her distinctive style, and the resilience that carried her through exile and war. We discover how her elegant forms and luminous glazes challenged traditional ideas about pottery, and how her tiny London studio became the birthplace of a revolution in ceramic art. This is more than the story of a remarkable potter. It is a story of courage, reinvention, and creativity flourishing against the odds. Join Stephanie Rozene and Paul Greenhalgh as they uncover the life and work of Lucie Rie—and discover how one extraordinary artist helped redefine the possibilities of clay. Featured Images: Lucie Rie, Bronzed bowls from the 1980s,  Photograph by Sylvain Deleu © Estate of the artist/The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation Hans Coper, A group of Cycladic forms, late- 1970s – early-1970s Photograph by Sylvain Deleu © Estate of the artist/The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation  Lucie Rie, Teapot Designed and Made for Ernst Plischke, 1928 Photograph by Sylvain Deleu © Estate of the artist/The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation Lucie Rie, Early London period bowl, c.1945  Lucie Rie & Hans Coper, Early London period cylindrical lidded pot, c.1947  Photograph by Sylvain Deleu © Estate of the artists/The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation  Lucie Rie, Vase from the 'Black Firing', 1981 and Composite vase, known as the 'God Pot', c.1980 Photograph by Sylvain Deleu © Estate of the artist/The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation Lucie Rie, Vase with sgraffito design, c.1982 Footed bowl, c.1978 Photograph by Sylvain Deleu © Estate of the artist/The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation Lucie Rie, Pink footed bowl, c.1980 Photograph by Sylvain Deleu © Estate of the artist/The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation Bernard Leach, Thrown Bowl,, 1973 Provided by York Museum  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 Bernard Leach Studio St Ives  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ PHOTOGRAPHS: Lucie Rie and Hans Coper in front of Albion Mews, 1950s Photograph by Jane Coper © Estate of Jane Coper /The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation Image Courtesy of the Crafts Study Centre, University for the Creative Arts, Farnham Lucie Rie and Hans Coper in front of Albion Mews, early 1950s Photograph by Jane Coper © Estate of Jane Coper /The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation Lucie Rie and Hans Coper, 1959-69 (in vehicle) Photograph by Jane Coper © Estate of Jane Coper /The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation Lucie Rie, Albion Mews, c.1960 (at wheel) Photograph by Jane Coper © Estate of Jane Coper /The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation  Lucie Rie, Albion Mews, c.1960 (at wheel with pot) Photograph by Jane Coper © Estate of Jane Coper /The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation Lucie Rie, Albion Mews, c.1967 (in studio) Photograph by Jane Coper © Estate of Jane Coper /The Lucie Rie and Hans Coper Foundation ‘Lucie Rie / Hans Coper: Life at the Wheel’ will be at Offer Waterman in London from 18 September - 31 October 2026.  For more great art content visit www.heni.com or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks.    Credits: Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Editor: Jim Fuller & Fraser Watson Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Lucy Rie and Hans Coper - Titans of Studio Ceramics 00:03:31 Vienna's Golden Age: The Wiener Werkstätte and Gesamtkunstwerk 00:10:03 Lucy's Upbringing: An Intellectual Jewish Family in Vienna 00:17:18 World War I and Tragedy: The Loss of Her Brother 00:20:53 Discovery of Clay: Finding Her Medium at the Kunstgewerbeschule 00:29:23 Marriage and Early Success: Building a Career in 1920s Vienna 00:32:40 The 1937 Paris Expo: Career Triumph and Rising Darkness 00:36:07 Flight from Vienna: Escaping the Nazis in 1938 00:38:37 Starting Over in London: Albion Mews and the Button Business 00:48:28 A Knock on the Door: Hans Coper Arrives

    Lucie Rie & Hans Coper - Clay, Courage and Reinvention - Part 1

  8. Jul 1 ·  Video

    The Terracotta Warriors

    In 1974, a group of farmers digging a well in rural China made one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in history: an underground army of thousands of life-sized terracotta warriors, standing silently in battle formation for more than two thousand years. But why was this extraordinary army created? Who was the powerful ruler it was built to protect? And what does it reveal about the ambitions, beliefs, and astonishing technological achievements of ancient China? In this episode of The History of Ceramics, we explore the story behind the Terracotta Army and the remarkable reign of Qin Shi Huang, the emperor who unified China and transformed its future. We uncover the extraordinary craftsmanship behind the figures, the vast workforce that produced them, the secrets still buried beneath the emperor's mausoleum, and the ongoing archaeological discoveries that continue to reshape our understanding of one of the world's greatest ceramic masterpieces. From imperial power and military might to artistry, innovation, and the enduring legacy of clay, this is the story of how an army that was never meant to be seen became one of the greatest treasures of human civilisation. Join Stephanie Rozene and Paul Greenhalgh as they uncover the fascinating history behind the Terracotta Warriors—and discover why these silent guardians continue to captivate the world over two millennia after they were made. All artworks included in this episode are courtesy of: Creative Commons license Zero, Public Domain Dedication For more great art content visit www.heni.com or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks Credits: Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Editor: Joe Little Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: The Greatest Ceramic Project Ever 00:00:52 Discovery in 1974: Farmers Uncover a Lost Army 00:04:55 The Secret Keeper: Zhao Kangmin and the Cultural Revolution 00:08:11 Qin Shi Huang: The First Emperor of China 00:11:16 Fear of Death and the Quest for Immortality 00:13:09 Building an Army for the Afterlife 00:15:07 The Mausoleum Complex: The Size of Manhattan 00:22:41 Industrial Scale Ceramic Production 00:29:27 Individual Faces: Eight Types, Infinite Variations 00:34:38 Color and Paint: The Lost Vibrancy 00:39:43 The Emperor's Death and the Fall of Qin 00:42:04 Fire and Destruction: The Tomb Under Attack 00:43:39 Legacy: From Fear to Forever

    The Terracotta Warriors
See All (22)

Trailer

4.8
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

The History of Ceramics brings together British art historian & curator Paul Greenhalgh and U.S. maker and academic Stephanie Rozene as they reveal the most compelling stories from this often-overlooked corner of art history.  From the very first shards that shed light on early civilizations, to stories of power, political intrigue and espionage.  Famous artists, extraordinary characters, pioneers and rebels from the world of pottery, architecture and design.  Full of revelation, insight and practical expertise, The History of Ceramics offers an alternative history to our times.

Information

  • Creator
    HENI Talks
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © HENI 2026

You Might Also Like