Graham Taylor: Potter, Experimental Archaeologist and Ancient Pottery Technology Specialist

I was delighted to meet Graham, and spend quite a long time in his studio. There is so much to see, my eyes were darting everywhere. It is a very well organised work room, and Graham was very generous with his time, and in answering my questions. The resulting interview was published in the Northumberland Gazette, and it is reproduced below.

Graham is in great demand by many of our most prestigious museums and heritage sites. You may well have seen him on TV. He has been in many programmes, including The Great British Pottery Throwdown. If you enjoy visiting historical sites, and museums, you will almost certainly have come across Graham's amazing work. You might also have seen his creations in films, e.g. Tarzan, as it was Graham who created those huge African pots!

Born in Tynemouth in 1954, Graham was raised by parents who were keen to show him, and his younger sister, all sorts of art and artefacts which are housed in North East museums. The family moved to Rothbury in 1966. For a time, they ran an antique shop, at Townfoot. After school, Graham studied 3-D art; specialising in ceramics and glass, at university in Manchester.

After perfecting his pottery techniques working with the world-renowned Joe Finch, Graham and his wife (artist Lynda Taylor, of Crown Studio, Rothbury) worked for over 20 years in Lesotho, Africa.

Joe Finch, Leach Potteries

Returning to Northumberland, Graham created a workshop, kiln and pottery in Elsdon. He soon became friendly with the archaeologists working for the National Park. 'There was an excavation in the Ingram Valley - bronze age stuff. I was asked to make a replica for the Visitor Centre. This was my introduction to replica pottery.' Then followed making Roman lamps for Hadrian's Wall Tourism.

Graham's extraordinary abilities began to be recognised, and he was requested to make replicas from all periods, in many places. 'It really snowballed' he tells me. 'Through doing all the research over the years, reading and studying, I learned so much about different clays, methods of firing, different glazes, from different ages'.

Graham is incredibly knowledgeable and eloquent about all kinds of pottery, from all eras.

Graham moved his workshop to Rothbury in 2006. He offers demonstrations, talks, workshops and more. His obvious love and knowledge of his subject makes learning from him entertaining and effortless.

Of all the stories he tells me, my favourite is about the bowl he made for the British Museum earlier this year. A replica of a silver Roman bowl found in Croatia. It is unique as it has a plumbing system inside it. It's called a Tantalus Bowl. The 4th Century bowl looks like a regular drinking vessel, but it has a secret pipe within it which would begin draining any liquid poured into the bowl if it reached a certain quantity. 'How tantalising!' I laugh. 'Yes' Graham responds, 'Tantalus was punished by the gods by always being left wanting, if he reached for fruit, it was always just out of reach, if he wanted to drink, the liquid would simply drain away'. You can watch Graham making the bowl

Graham: The creation of a replica Roman Tantalus Bowl/Cup for the British Museum. The original, made from solid silver, is in the museum at Zagreb and comes from the Vinkovci Hoard of Late Roman silver plate. I was commissioned by The British to create a ceramic replica in order to prove, or indeed disprove, the working of this vessel. a Roman Tantalus cup, pour in a modest amount of wine & drink, but if you're greedy and over fill it, the entire contents will drain away. Lustred to look like the original silver. In Greek mythology, Tantalus was punished by the gods and made to stand in a pool of water but whenever he tried to quench his thirst the water always receded before he could take a drink.

The Tantulus Bowl or cup.

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