The more time we spend with withy pot makers through the Withy Lore project, the more aware we’ve become of the differences in style, size and character of withy pots (willow pots used to catch shellfish). Looking at a pot now, we see subtle differences in technique, form and materials. Each of these elements tells us about the maker and the place it was made and fished with. This intangible cultural heritage (there’s a mouthful… here’s the UNESCO Convention definition) has also captivated artist Anna Pope, who first started documenting withy pots in 2016.
A few of the pots we’ve photographed recently as part of the Withy Lore project
Whilst developing the Withy Lore project we knew we wanted to carry on this important documentation of withy pots. After all, due to the ephemeral nature of pots, many styles having already been lost. So as part of our oral history interviews with remaining withy pot makers and with an Intangible Cultural Heritage grant from the UK Government and Konsel Kernow, a withy pot gallery has begun to grow.
We’ve had some funny looks and comments as we’ve produced our white tablecloth and spent time positioning and photographing withy pots from each angle. In Penberth, Sarah scaled the old stores to retrieve a withy pot made by David Chapple, which had remained in the rafters since it was last fished with some 40/50 odd years before. Taffy noted, “I’ve never seem 2 people so excited to see a withy pot before” and it’s true… we were!
For Anna in particular, withy pots have become a fascination. The Intangible Cultural Heritage Grant has created an opportunity for her to expand her beautifully intricate illustration work. Inspired by the fact that traditional pots are commonly made entirely from plant materials, Anna’s illustrations are reminiscent of botanical drawings. This format has also enabled her to reference language and terminology used by makers, finding new ways of sharing the language we’re capturing through our oral history recordings. Anna has now produced 2 sets of illustrations based on the withy pots made by Nigel Legge from Cadgwith, Cornwall and Sue Morgan from Hope Cove, South Devon.
These photographs, illustrations and extracts from oral histories, will form part of our forthcoming Withy Lore exhibition at the Royal Cornwall Museum from 10th March – 22nd June 2025.
The wider Withy Lore project has been made possible with thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, FEAST Cornwall, Cornwall Community Foundation, the St.Aubyn Foundation and the Fishmongers Company.
