Vintage Fish Motif Dish Attributed to Bernard Leach #5405

width: approx. 20.8cm (8 3⁄16in)

weight: 557g

This stoneware dish is believed to be the work of Bernard Leach, the renowned British potter who played a pivotal role in the Japanese Mingei (folk craft) movement during the early 20th century. The dish exemplifies the movement’s emphasis on utility and beauty, featuring a rustic, greyish glaze and a lively depiction of two fish painted in expressive brushstrokes at the center. Brown circular bands decorate the rim, adding a rhythmic balance to the overall composition. The base bears the incised marks “BL” and a circular stamp, often associated with Leach’s works. This piece reflects the harmonious fusion of Eastern and Western aesthetics that defined Leach’s philosophy and the Mingei tradition.