The studio pottery movement was one of the key British artistic forces of the last century and by the 1920s this country was recognised as among the most important for ceramic artists.
But, as Mr Gange says, as recently as the 1970s this was a surprisingly neglected area.
This situation has now changed drastically with specialist dealers, auctions and museum collections. And, of course, many collectors.
There are 40 pieces in the Wiltshire show with prices from £150 to £6000 for a stoneware bottle by the late Dame Lucie Rie.
The show features work by some of the very best British studio potters, all but one of whom are represented in the National Collection of the V&A. The emphasis is on the diverse and innovative pots made around the 1970s and 1980s rather than the Leach-influenced work that dominated the first half of the century.
Apart from Dame Lucie Rie, Michael Casson O.B.E (1925-2003) and Joanna Constantinidis (1927-2000) are probably the best known names represented.
But there are also many others of note, including Paul Philp (whose work has become a popular fixture at major fairs on the stand of his brother, London dealer Richard Philp), Derek Davis, Robin Welch and Eric James Mellon.
