DAVID LAMBERT
(British/Canadian 1919–1985)


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David Lambert (Canadian 1906-1985) 'Bear Mother Plate'
David Lambert (Canadian 1906-1985) 'Bear Mother Plate'

David Lambert (Canadian 1906-1985)

Bear Mother Plate
Lambert pottery dish, inscribed "Lambert Potteries Ltd. Vancouver BC #6 Bear-Mother being abducted by grizzly bears West Coast Indian Design Hand-Painted D.T."
Size: 1 h x 11 w x 11 d in
E19849

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Considered to be the Godfather of West Coast ceramics by many, David Lambert established Vancouver’s first commercial pottery in 1945. A British trained potter he moved to Vancouver immediately after World War II. He was instrumental in promoting ceramics in British Columbia. As there were no ceramic supply stores early potters in BC purchased many of their materials through Lambert potteries. David Lambert designed small kilns and sought out materials making it possible for the growing number of potters to establish their own studios.

Lambert was also responsible in part for getting pottery classes started in Vancouver by encouraging the School Board to include pottery in their curriculum. Beyond his encouragement of the Vancouver School Board he also taught wheel-throwing courses at the School of Decorative and Applied Arts (now Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design). His commercial work was strongly influenced by the First Nations artworks and patterns he experienced in British Columbia.