Very Rare Vintage Studio Pottery Butter Dish by John Maltby, Stoneshill Pottery, Devon

A beautiful example of early work by renowned British potter John Maltby (1936–2020), crafted during his time at Stoneshill Pottery in Crediton, Devon. Dated to the 1960s, this hand-thrown stoneware butter dish carries the quiet elegance of Maltby’s formative years, before his later, more abstract sculptural style for which he became celebrated.

The dish is thrown in a warm, speckled clay with a softly ridged dome lid and a gently lipped base plate. The glaze is a subtle, variegated grey with fine brown flecks and pooling at the ridges, giving depth and movement to its otherwise simple, functional form. It’s a piece that feels wonderful in the hand, grounded, tactile, and timeless.

Maltby worked at Stoneshill Pottery with potter David Leach before setting up his own workshop in Devon in 1964, later becoming one of Britain’s most respected studio potters. His Stoneshill pieces are now sought after by collectors for their rarity and understated beauty.

Perfect for the table, this dish will hold a standard block of butter or soft cheese, keeping it cool yet easily accessible. A functional piece of British ceramic history.

Dimensions;
Height: 9cm
Dome diameter: 12.5cm
Dish diameter: 16.5cm