Pots of joy

A hand-painted pottery collection helps to remind Laura Hennessy of her beloved Irish homeland. Shonagh Walker takes a look at her precious collection.

As you walk into Laura Hennessy’s cosy first-floor apartment, a pleasant feeling of warmth envelops you. Beautifully framed family photos are hung carefully on the walls while shelves are laden with exquisite pieces of hand-painted pottery.

Laura, 33, currently spends her days working for television’s Network Ten. “My job involves watching a lot of TV,” she laughs. But when she’s away from work, Laura loves nothing better than relaxing at home. While Sydney is currently her base, Laura likes to surround herself with reminders of her Irish homeland, and a collection of handmade Nicholas Mosse pottery perfectly fits the bill.

“I was 12 or 13 when I first saw the earthenware,” Laura recalls. “I was at my friend’s house in Ireland and I fell in love with it immediately. My friend, Juliet, saw how taken I was with it, so she bought me my first item –a beautiful coffee mug. For 20 years since then, Juliet has bought me a different piece each year.”

After that early introduction, Laura quickly became an avid collector of Nicholas Mosse pieces. On visits home each year she makes sure to visit the factory (in Bennettsbridge in Ireland’s County Kilkenny) where the pottery is made. “I’m always thinking, ‘hmm, maybe a few more’!” Laura admits.

Despite cherishing her collection, Laura isn’t one to lock it away behind glass. Each piece has to function for her, in addition to pleasing the eye. The pottery is arranged in an Irish dresser, adding to its sentimentality. “I shipped the dresser to Australia when I moved here – it’s very special to me because it was handmade by my father many years ago,” Laura explains.

Every item has a story attached to it – one of Laura’s favourites is the tale behind a pair of candlesticks. “On the morning of my thirtieth birthday my younger sister Helene disappeared from our house for about two hours. She refused to say where she was going but when she finally returned, I discovered that she had driven at a roaring speed up to the Nicholas Mosse factory to buy me a present,” Laura remembers fondly.

Another treasured piece is a salad bowl that was a gift from her friend Juliet. “The card read ‘cook with love’. It really means so much to me.” While Laura does take care with her precious collection, she has lost a few pieces from time to time. “It has happened on several occasions, but c’est la vie! I don’t believe in not using things because they’re good. I use all of my things all the time – cups, plates, pasta bowls... it’s a pity they don’t make wine glasses as they’d get used every night!”

Caring for pottery

High-quality ceramics require special care. Nicholas Mosse has a few tips to ensure that your collection will last and wear beautifully for years to come.

• Avoid rough handling and sudden changes in temperature as this may cause the appearance of fine lines (known as crazing) on the surface of your pottery (although bear in mind that crazing doesn’t affect the life or usefulness of the pottery, and some people even feel that it adds character to the pieces).

• To clean stubborn stains from your pottery, use a mild bleach solution.

• If pottery has been stored for a long period of time, a quick wipe with a vinegar-soaked cloth will help to freshen surfaces.

• Nicholas Mosse pottery can be used in the dishwasher and is also microwave-safe. Don’t use it in the oven or on the stovetop.

All about Nicholas Mosse pottery

Nicholas Mosse is an Irish pottery company that was established in 1975. The company uses traditional 18th century Irish pottery techniques to craft its pieces. Simple, rural-inspired shapes (usually animals or plants) are applied to earthenware with cut sponges. Each piece is handmade, making it truly unique. If you’re interested in the pottery, take a look at www.nicholasmosse.com. To find pieces in Australia, Laura suggests scouring garage sales and flea markets, as well as looking on Ebay – www.ebay.com.au.

Words: Shonagh Walker. Photography: Scott Hawkins