Born in 1924, Len Castle completed a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Auckland in 1946.

He was introduced to pottery at night classes while training to be a secondary school teacher.

His career path turned after he won a scholarship to study with master potter Bernard Leach in St Ives, Cornwall. During this period, recalled Castle, he absorbed a strong work ethic and became strongly drawn to the Oriental aesthetic.

Castle returned from England to a job teaching science at Auckland Teachers' College.

In 1963, he left the Teachers' College and became a professional potter, and in the same year, was instrumental in establishing the New Zealand Society of Potters.

In 1966, he won a Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council fellowship, which he used to go to Japan and Hawaii. His trip cemented his love of Japanese pottery.

In 1986, Castle was made a Commander of the more...

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Len Castle, small ovoid vase. Height 10 cm. Provenance:…

Castle Family's Ovoid Vase

Len Castle, small ovoid vase. Height 10 cm. Provenance: collection Castle family collection

Ikibana vase and Japanese bowl, vase with red/brown glaze. Bowl…

Len Castle Collection: Ikibana Vase and Japanese Bowl

Ikibana vase and Japanese bowl, vase with red/brown glaze. Bowl with ash glaze with hand-painted decoration. Provenance: Len Castle family collection, vase: 20 cm height, bowl: 12 cm diameter

Len Castle, wood fired stoneware globular vase, impressed mark…

Len Castle Stoneware Vase, Estate Provenance

Len Castle, wood fired stoneware globular vase, impressed mark to the base, height 13 cm. Provenance: Estate of John Wilson

Len Castle, small stoneware vase, together with a Barry…

Stoneware Vase and Mug by Castle and Brickell

Len Castle, small stoneware vase, together with a Barry Brickell stoneware mug, impressed marks, the vase, 9 x 9 x 9 cm

Len Castle, small stoneware bottle vase, with colonial shino…

Len Castle Colonial Shino Stoneware Vase

Len Castle, small stoneware bottle vase, with colonial shino glaze, height 12 cm. Provenance: Neil and Fay Castle collection

Len Castle, miniature vase, 5 cm height

Tiny Treasure: Len Castle Miniature Vase

Len Castle, miniature vase, 5 cm height

Len Castle. Speciman vase, earthenware. Impressed mark. Height…

Len Castle Earthenware Vase

Len Castle. Speciman vase, earthenware. Impressed mark. Height 6.5 cm

Len Castle, stoneware bottle vase, of squat globular form,…

Len Castle Stoneware Bottle Vase, 10cm

Len Castle, stoneware bottle vase, of squat globular form, height 10 cm. Provenance: New Vision Gallery Collection

Len Castle, early stoneware globular vase, impressed initials,…

Len Castle Stoneware Vase from New Vision Gallery Collection

Len Castle, early stoneware globular vase, impressed initials, height 6 cm. Provenance: New Vision Gallery Collection

Len Castle, early stoneware shaped vase, with light brown ash…

Len Castle Stoneware Vase with Ash Glaze

Len Castle, early stoneware shaped vase, with light brown ash glaze impressed initials height 13 cm

Len Castle, two wood fired stoneware globular vases, both with…

Len Castle Wood Fired Stoneware Vases

Len Castle, two wood fired stoneware globular vases, both with impressed initials, the taller, height 11 cm

Len Castle small bottle vase in dark green ash glaze, late 50's,…

Len Castle Green Ash Glaze Bottle Vase, 1950s

Len Castle small bottle vase in dark green ash glaze, late 50's, impressed mark, 11 cm height

Len Castle, pair turquoise specimen vases, incised marks, 12 cm…

Turquoise Incised Vases by Len Castle

Len Castle, pair turquoise specimen vases, incised marks, 12 cm height

Len Castle. Speciman vase, earthenware. Impressed mark. Height…

Len Castle Earthenware Vase

Len Castle. Speciman vase, earthenware. Impressed mark. Height 10 cm

Len Castle. Speciman vase, stoneware with a celedon glaze.…

Celedon Stoneware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle. Speciman vase, stoneware with a celedon glaze. Impressed mark. Height 21 cm

Len Castle, pierced spherical vase, the narrow aperture with…

Pierced Tenmoku Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, pierced spherical vase, the narrow aperture with short rim framed by multiple circular piercings, dark tenmoku glaze, impressed potter's mark to base, height 13 cm.

Len Castle, wood fired stoneware globular vase, impressed…

Wood-fired Stoneware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, wood fired stoneware globular vase, impressed initials, height 15 cm

Len Castle, stoneware sedge grass vase, with five apertures,…

Textured Sedge Grass Vase with Five Apertures

Len Castle, stoneware sedge grass vase, with five apertures, with textured surface, impressed initials. Width 27.5 cm

Len Castle. Speciman vase, earthenware with unglazed textured…

Textured Earthenware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle. Speciman vase, earthenware with unglazed textured surface. Impressed mark. Height 17.5 cm

Len Castle, stoneware sedge vase, unglazed, textured surface…

Textured Sedge Vase with Incised Chevrons and Apertures

Len Castle, stoneware sedge vase, unglazed, textured surface decorated with incised chevrons and ridges, five apertures, impressed potter's mark, height 10 cm, width 16 cm

A tall Len Castle tubular pottery vase, of wasted form with…

Len Castle Tubular Pottery Vase with Blue Wave Glaze

A tall Len Castle tubular pottery vase, of wasted form with everted rim and matt blue wave glaze in dark blue to pinkish mauve tones. Impressed monogram mark, height 29.5 cm

Len Castle, Stoneware shaped vase, olive ash glaze and…

Olive Ash Glazed Stoneware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, Stoneware shaped vase, olive ash glaze and impressed design, potter's mark to the base, 15 x 10.5 x 10.5 cm

A Len Castle stoneware cylindrical vase, decorated with incised…

Len Castle Stoneware Vase and Milk Jug Set

A Len Castle stoneware cylindrical vase, decorated with incised concentric bands with olive coloured glaze and umber pigmenting; along with a Castle milk jug with iron speckled ash glaze, impressed artist's mark to each piece. Tallest 18 cm

Len Castle, small squat vase, stoneware with mottled brown and…

Len Castle Stoneware Vase, Mottled Glazes, Signed and Inscribed

Len Castle, small squat vase, stoneware with mottled brown and grey glazes, signed and inscribed to base: 'For Eth from Len', height 9.5 cm. Provenance: Collection of the Castle Family

Len Castle slab form grass vase, four angular cut openings,…

Len Castle Grass Vase with Angular Openings

Len Castle slab form grass vase, four angular cut openings, dark umber matt glaze, impressed mark c.1980s. Height 12.5 cm

Len Castle, stoneware hanging vase, with white ash glaze,…

Unmarked Stoneware Hanging Vase with Ash Glaze - 28cm

Len Castle, stoneware hanging vase, with white ash glaze, unmarked. Height 28 cm

Len Castle cylindrical centrally ribbed vase, impressed mark,…

Len Castle Ribbed Vase

Len Castle cylindrical centrally ribbed vase, impressed mark, 19.5 cm height

A small Len Castle specimen vase, squat ovoid form, the tenmoku…

Len Castle Tenmoku Speckled Gold Vase

A small Len Castle specimen vase, squat ovoid form, the tenmoku glaze with fine gold speckled highlights, impressed potter's mark. Diameter 9.5 cm, height 8 cm

Len Castle, blue orb vase, in rich blue barium glaze with…

Blue Barium Vase with Turquoise Highlights

Len Castle, blue orb vase, in rich blue barium glaze with turquoise highlights, circa 1990s, LC mark, height 13 cm

Len Castle, large stoneware vase, with ash brown and grey…

Ash Grey Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, large stoneware vase, with ash brown and grey glazes, impressed initials. Height 33 cm

A vintage Len Castle ovoid vase, cylindrical neck, tenmoku…

Len Castle Ovoid Vase with Tenmoku Glaze

A vintage Len Castle ovoid vase, cylindrical neck, tenmoku glaze with gloss red/brown highlights, impressed mark. Height 23 cm

A Len Castle squat ovoid vase, ash glazed top, matt umber to…

Len Castle Ash Glazed Ovoid Vase with Pierced Lug

A Len Castle squat ovoid vase, ash glazed top, matt umber to the base, small pierced lug to the shoulder. Impressed potter's mark. Height 12.5 cm.

A Len Castle bottle form vase, the cylindrical body with rope…

Len Castle bottle vase with rope bands and iron spotting

A Len Castle bottle form vase, the cylindrical body with rope type fine bands, dark and pale grey glaze with iron spotting, rolled rim, impressed mark. Height 17.8 cm.

Len Castle, a squat circular vase with deep green glaze, two…

Len Castle Pottery Collection

Len Castle, a squat circular vase with deep green glaze, two umber pigmented spherical small vases and an ash glazed circular box, with hairline crack to lid, diameter 12.5 cm, 10 cm, 8.5 cm and 13 cm.

Len Castle, cylindrical vase, stoneware with ash glaze and…

Impressed Rope Stoneware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, cylindrical vase, stoneware with ash glaze and impressed rope decoration, A/F, impressed mark to the foot, height 20 cm

Len Castle small bottle vase, from 1998 Retro series, where…

Len Castle Retro Series Bottle Vase

Len Castle small bottle vase, from 1998 Retro series, where Castle used his old marks from 60's, impressed mark, 14 cm height

A vintage Len Castle cylinder vase, the wide encircling band of…

Len Castle Incised Vase

A vintage Len Castle cylinder vase, the wide encircling band of rough incised fine bands, variable brown and ochre glaze, umber to the base, impressed potter's mark. Height 20 cm

A Len Castle ovoid vase, made from stoneware, in an ash glaze…

Len Castle Stoneware Ovoid Vase with Ash Glaze Bands

A Len Castle ovoid vase, made from stoneware, in an ash glaze with concentric bands to the body. Maker's mark above base. Height 13 cm, diameter 10 cm

Len Castle. Speciman vase, earthenware with a dark stain to…

Len Castle Earthenware Speciman Vase

Len Castle. Speciman vase, earthenware with a dark stain to exterior. Impressed mark. Height 15.5 cm

Len Castle, Pinched bottle vase, stoneware with ash glaze,…

Len Castle Pinched Bottle Vase, 1970

Len Castle, Pinched bottle vase, stoneware with ash glaze, impressed mark to the base and dated 1970 on affixed label, height 18.5 cm. Provenance: John Crichton Estate

A Len Castle ovoid vase, in blue and green glazes. With a…

Len Castle Blue and Green Ovoid Vase

A Len Castle ovoid vase, in blue and green glazes. With a maker's mark impressed to base. Height 110 mm, width 100 mm

Len Castle, ovoid vase, cobalt blue and crackle glaze. Height…

Cobalt Crackle: Len Castle Vase

Len Castle, ovoid vase, cobalt blue and crackle glaze. Height 15 cm

Len Castle (New Zealand 1924-2011), a stoneware 'Sedge' vase,…

Len Castle (New Zealand 1924-2011), a stoneware 'Sedge' vase, with incised curved line front and back, maker's mark to base. Height 18 cm.

Len Castle, Shino glazed stoneware vase, with 'Pinched' rim…

Shino Vase with Pinched Rim by Len Castle

Len Castle, Shino glazed stoneware vase, with 'Pinched' rim impressed initials height 21 cm

A Len Castle pierced spherical vase, with tenmoku glaze, height…

Len Castle Tenmoku Glaze Pierced Spherical Vase

A Len Castle pierced spherical vase, with tenmoku glaze, height 13 cm, diameter 15 cm

A Len Castle Twig Vase (Grass Pot or Sedge Pot), pinched form,…

Len Castle Twig Vase

A Len Castle Twig Vase (Grass Pot or Sedge Pot), pinched form, impressed monogram. Height 9.5 cm

Len Castle small tapered specimen vase, triangular form, umber…

Len Castle Triangular Umber Vase, c.1970

Len Castle small tapered specimen vase, triangular form, umber rubbed glaze, impressed potter's mark, c.1970. Height 11 cm

Len Castle, stoneware sedge grass vase, with matt white talc…

Sedge Grass Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, stoneware sedge grass vase, with matt white talc glaze, impressed mark, height 18 cm

Len Castle, Crum Brickworks salt glaze stoneware vase,…

Len Castle Salt Glaze Stoneware Vase, 13 cm Height

Len Castle, Crum Brickworks salt glaze stoneware vase, impressed mark, height 13 cm

Len Castle (New Zealand 1924-2011), a stoneware wall vase, of…

Len Castle (New Zealand 1924-2011), a stoneware wall vase, of leaf form, impressed maker's mark to back. Length 17 cm.

Len Castle, stoneware bottle vase, with barium blue glaze,…

Barium Blue Stoneware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, stoneware bottle vase, with barium blue glaze, impressed initials to the base, height 29 cm

Len Castle wheel thrown bottle vase, with three impressed…

Len Castle Ash Glazed Bottle Vase with Impressed Stamps

Len Castle wheel thrown bottle vase, with three impressed stamps vertically to the body, ash glaze over tenmoku. Impressed cypher at foot, c.1960s. Height 17.5 cm.

Len Castle, stoneware globular vase, with textured umber…

Textured Umber Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, stoneware globular vase, with textured umber pigmented surface, impressed initials. Height 18 cm

Len Castle, early stoneware gourd form bottle vase, in white…

Early Stoneware Gourd Form Bottle Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, early stoneware gourd form bottle vase, in white and brown glazed stoneware, rope indentations to the body, early 1960s, C mark, width 24 cm

Len Castle, hanging form bottle vase, with impressed spiral…

Impressed Spiral Hanging Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, hanging form bottle vase, with impressed spiral decoration and textured umber pigmented surface impressed initials height 39 cm

Len Castle, stoneware pear-shaped vase, with tenmoku glaze…

Tenmoku Glazed Pear-Shaped Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, stoneware pear-shaped vase, with tenmoku glaze impressed initials height 25 cm

A Len Castle stoneware wall vase, modelled after a shell fossil,…

Len Castle Fossil Wall Vase

A Len Castle stoneware wall vase, modelled after a shell fossil, small aperture at the top, suspension lugs to the reverse, umber pigmented. Height 20 cm

Len Castle, two matching pale celadon vases, porcelain with…

Pair of Len Castle Celadon Vases with Wavy Design

Len Castle, two matching pale celadon vases, porcelain with thinly crackled glaze, decorated with a combed wavy design, impressed potter's cypher to feet, height 13.5 cm and height 13 cm

Len Castle, stoneware bottle vase with barium blue glaze…

Barium Blue Stoneware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, stoneware bottle vase with barium blue glaze impressed initials to the base. Height 29 cm

Len Castle, stoneware spherical vase with rich tenmoku glaze.…

Tenmoku Glazed Stoneware Spherical Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, stoneware spherical vase with rich tenmoku glaze. Impressed mark, height 16 cm

Len Castle Pinched rim vase, impressed mark to base, 13 cm…

Len Castle Pinched Rim Vase, 13 cm Height

Len Castle Pinched rim vase, impressed mark to base, 13 cm height

Len Castle bottle vase in shino glaze, early 70s, ex Rosemary…

Len Castle Shino Glaze Bottle Vase, 1970s

Len Castle bottle vase in shino glaze, early 70s, ex Rosemary Mueller Collection sold at Webbs 1999, impressed mark, 24 cm height

Len Castle, early stoneware vase, with textured glaze,…

Textured Stoneware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, early stoneware vase, with textured glaze, impressed initials. Height 19 cm

Len Castle, stoneware vase, ash and shino type glaze, impressed…

Len Castle Stoneware Vase with Ash and Shino Glaze

Len Castle, stoneware vase, ash and shino type glaze, impressed initials to the base. Height 14 cm, Exhibited in the New Zealand Potters exhibition in Whangarei in 2000.

Len Castle, stoneware bottle vase, with matt white talc and…

Stoneware Bottle Vase with Fire Safety Kanji Characters

Len Castle, stoneware bottle vase, with matt white talc and tenmoku glazes, the body with stamped fire safety kanji characters, impressed mark to the base, height 19.5 cm

Len Castle New Zealand studio pottery stoneware vase, with…

Len Castle Stoneware Vase with Brown Glaze

Len Castle New Zealand studio pottery stoneware vase, with brown and neutral glazed tones, height 14.5 cm approx

Len Castle, hanging discoid vase, with impressed decoration,…

Len Castle Impressed Discoid Vase, 1969

Len Castle, hanging discoid vase, with impressed decoration, circa 1969, impressed marks, note: a similar example illustrated in Len Castle, Making the Molecules dance, Lopdell house gallery, p. 214. Provenance: Steve Rumsey collection.

Len Castle sedge grass vase, impressed mark, 18.5 cm height

Len Castle Sedge Grass Vase, 18.5 cm

Len Castle sedge grass vase, impressed mark, 18.5 cm height

A Len Castle cylinder vase, fine incised bands encircle the…

Len Castle Incised Cylinder Vase

A Len Castle cylinder vase, fine incised bands encircle the body, the top with green ash glaze, matt umber to the base. Early impressed mark. Height 21.5 cm.

Len Castle. Ovoid stoneware vase with barium blue glaze. Height…

Barium Blue Stoneware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle. Ovoid stoneware vase with barium blue glaze. Height 26 cm

Len Castle, stoneware bottle vase, with blue talc glaze.…

Blue Talc Stoneware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, stoneware bottle vase, with blue talc glaze. Impressed initials. Height 27 cm

Len Castle ovoid vase, oxidised umbre surface. Impressed mark.…

Oxidised Umbre Ovoid Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle ovoid vase, oxidised umbre surface. Impressed mark. 19 cm height

Len Castle cylinder vase c1970, with dark brown khaki green…

Len Castle Sgraffito Cylinder Vase

Len Castle cylinder vase c1970, with dark brown khaki green glaze to two thirds of the body and with wide incised sgraffito band of decoration. Impressed potter's mark, height 18.5 cm.

Len Castle, early stoneware vase, impressed initials, height 27…

Early Stoneware Vase by Len Castle, 27cm Height

Len Castle, early stoneware vase, impressed initials, height 27 cm

Len Castle, unusual stoneware conjoined multi aperture vase,…

Conjoined Stoneware Vase with Ash and Kaki Glaze

Len Castle, unusual stoneware conjoined multi aperture vase, ash and kaki glaze, impressed initials, height 20 cm

Len Castle slab form grass vase, four angular cut openings,…

Len Castle Grass Vase: Angular Openings, Umber Glaze (c.1980s)

Len Castle slab form grass vase, four angular cut openings, dark umber matt glaze, impressed mark c.1980s. Height 12.5 cm.

A Len Castle mallet formed vase, the incised body with lineal…

Len Castle Incised Vase with Iron Spotting

A Len Castle mallet formed vase, the incised body with lineal small circular impressions, dark and pale grey glaze with iron spotting. Impressed potter's mark. Height 19.5 cm.

A Len Castle Shino glaze wall vase stamped to rear, circa 1970s.…

Len Castle Shino Glaze Wall Vase, 1970s

A Len Castle Shino glaze wall vase stamped to rear, circa 1970s. Height 28 cm. Width 28 cm

Len Castle, bottle vase, stoneware with ash glaze and impressed…

Len Castle Stoneware Bottle Vase with Ash Glaze and Impression

Len Castle, bottle vase, stoneware with ash glaze and impressed decoration, impressed mark, 15 cm high

A Len Castle stoneware bottle vase stamped to base, age unknown.…

Len Castle Stoneware Bottle Vase, 28.5 cm Height

A Len Castle stoneware bottle vase stamped to base, age unknown. Height 28.5 cm. Diameter 18 cm

Len Castle, cylindrical stoneware vase, in heavily textured…

Textured Stoneware Vase with Ash Glaze Interior

Len Castle, cylindrical stoneware vase, in heavily textured iron oxide washed stoneware with dark green ash glaze interior, 1960s, C mark, height 19 cm

Len Castle, vase, incised mark, 19 cm height

Len Castle Incised Vase - 19cm

Len Castle, vase, incised mark, 19 cm height

A Len Castle sedge grass vase, flattened tapered form, each…

Len Castle Sedge Grass Vase

A Len Castle sedge grass vase, flattened tapered form, each side of the top with two narrow apertures within an ovoid recess, umber rubbed matt glaze to the recesses of the porcelain body. Impressed potter's mark. Height 20.5 cm.

A Len Castle large cylinder vase, incised fine banded and…

Len Castle textured cylinder vase with ash glaze

A Len Castle large cylinder vase, incised fine banded and texture decoration, part rock ash glaze, umber glaze to the base. Impressed potter's mark. Height 27 cm.

Len Castle, stoneware ovoid vase, with ash glaze with pieced…

Ash-glazed stoneware vase with rope-bound lugs

Len Castle, stoneware ovoid vase, with ash glaze with pieced stoneware lugs with rope binding, impressed initials to the base. Height 29 cm

Len Castle ovoid vase, c.1950s, pale thick glaze with dark…

Len Castle Spotted Glaze Vase with Lamp Hole

Len Castle ovoid vase, c.1950s, pale thick glaze with dark encircling bands and spotted highlights, early impressed potter's mark. Hole drilled to base for lamp cord, height 20.4 cm.

Len Castle cylinder vase, fine incised bands to the middle,…

Len Castle Incised Cylinder Vase

Len Castle cylinder vase, fine incised bands to the middle, rock ash glaze to the top, umber to the base. Impressed potter's mark, height 17.5 cm.

A Len Castle brush pot vase, with incised band decoration, in a…

Green Glazed Len Castle Brush Pot Vase with Incised Decoration

A Len Castle brush pot vase, with incised band decoration, in a green glaze. Maker's mark above base, height 19 cm, depth 9 cm

Len Castle, vase, stoneware with a central band of incised…

Len Castle Incised Stoneware Vase

Len Castle, vase, stoneware with a central band of incised lines. Early impressed mark. Height 20 cm. Diameter 20 cm

Len Castle small/medium discoid stoneware vase, rope impressed…

Rope Impressed Stoneware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle small/medium discoid stoneware vase, rope impressed decoration to the front, umber rubbed glaze darkening the recesses. Impressed potter's mark, c.1970/1980. Height 17 cm

Len Castle beaker vase, c. 1970s, with applied rondels,…

Len Castle Beaker Vase with Rondels

Len Castle beaker vase, c. 1970s, with applied rondels, impressed mark to base, 16.5 cm height

A Len Castle stoneware vase, spherical shape with short neck,…

Len Castle Stoneware Vase with Ash and Tenmoku Glaze

A Len Castle stoneware vase, spherical shape with short neck, ash glaze to the shoulder, tenmoku to the mouth and in a broad band around the centre, the band patterned with an impression of open weave fabric. Impressed artist's cipher to side. Height 17.7…

Len Castle Sedge grass vase, tapered form, variable umber glaze,…

Len Castle Umber Glazed Sedge Grass Vase

Len Castle Sedge grass vase, tapered form, variable umber glaze, impressed mark. Minor flake to top rim, height 14.5 cm.

Len Castle, early squat hexagonal vase, with flared rim in rich…

Tenmoku Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, early squat hexagonal vase, with flared rim in rich tenmoku glaze, circa 1958, C mark, height 17 cm

A Len Castle stoneware bottle vase, of built tri-form section,…

Len Castle Stoneware Bottle Vase with Seed Pattern Stamp

A Len Castle stoneware bottle vase, of built tri-form section, the lower body with umber pigmented surface, the shoulder and short neck glazed with a variable green ash glaze. One wall of the body impressed with a repeating seed pattern stamp forming a…

Len Castle, bottle vase of triangular form, ash glaze with…

Ash Glazed Triangular Bottle Vase with Impressed Motifs

Len Castle, bottle vase of triangular form, ash glaze with impressed motifs, impressed mark, 17 cm high