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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Theo Schoon, an archive of photographs, sketches and…

Schoon & Castle: Collaborative Ceramics Archive

Theo Schoon, an archive of photographs, sketches and correspondence from the collection of Len Castle, consisting of two silver gelatin photographs and 18 loose sheets of graphite and ink working drawings with notes and annotations, the two photographs:…

A Len Castle Crum Brickworks vase, faint hairline crack to body…

Len Castle Crum Brickworks Vase with Hairline Crack

A Len Castle Crum Brickworks vase, faint hairline crack to body and rim. In stable condition. Double stamped to base. Height 29 cm, depth 15 cm

A 1970/80s Len Castle New Zealand studio pottery specimen vase,…

Len Castle Grey Glaze Specimen Vase

A 1970/80s Len Castle New Zealand studio pottery specimen vase, the ovoid form body with a narrow short waisted neck, variable grey glaze with darker highlights. Impressed potter's mark and original pricing label below

A 1950s Len Castle baluster stoneware vase, with the rare…

Len Castle Stoneware Vase with Rare Rope Necklace

A 1950s Len Castle baluster stoneware vase, with the rare edition of Ruth Castle rope necklace, the natural woven fibre rope with two wooden beads, the vase with spotted grey green glaze with tan highlights. Impressed potter's mark, height 21.5 cm.

Len Castle, ovoid vase, with rolled neck in various barium blue…

Barium Blue Ovoid Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, ovoid vase, with rolled neck in various barium blue glazes, circa 1990s, LC mark, height 23 cm

Len Castle, vase, 24 cm height

Len Castle's 24cm Vase

Len Castle, vase, 24 cm height

Len Castle, Large globular vase, stoneware with textured umber…

Textured Umber Stoneware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, Large globular vase, stoneware with textured umber pigmented surface, impressed potter's cypher to the foot, height 18 cm

Len Castle, grass vase. Impressed mark, 18 cm height.…

Len Castle Grass Vase, 18 cm, Ex Doris Dutch Estate

Len Castle, grass vase. Impressed mark, 18 cm height. Provenance: Ex Doris Dutch Estate

Len Castle Sedge Grass Vase, impressed mark, 13 cm high.

Len Castle Sedge Grass Vase - Impressed Mark, 13cm

Len Castle Sedge Grass Vase, impressed mark, 13 cm high.

Len Castle and Theo Schoon collaboratively designed stoneware…

Collaborative Stoneware Vase by Castle and Schoon

Len Castle and Theo Schoon collaboratively designed stoneware vase, ovoid form with knob type side protrusions, tapered neck, umber glaze, blue internal glaze, impressed potter's mark and incised 'TS'. 19 cm x 14 cm x 14.5 cm

A Len Castle shino glaze ovoid vase, maker's mark to base.…

Len Castle Shino Glaze Ovoid Vase

A Len Castle shino glaze ovoid vase, maker's mark to base. Height 140 mm, diameter 140 mm

Len Castle, stoneware sedge vase of flattened ovoid shape with…

Umber Sedge Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, stoneware sedge vase of flattened ovoid shape with double cut aperture, umber pigmented, impressed artist's monogram. Height 18.5 cm.

Len Castle beaker vase, c 1970, impressed mark to base, 23 cm…

Len Castle Beaker Vase, 1970

Len Castle beaker vase, c 1970, impressed mark to base, 23 cm height

A Len Castle orb specimen vase, blue/green mottled glaze,…

Len Castle Blue/Green Mottled Orb Vase

A Len Castle orb specimen vase, blue/green mottled glaze, impressed mark to base.

Len Castle, large stoneware globular vase, with textured umber…

Textured Stoneware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, large stoneware globular vase, with textured umber pigmented surface. Height 24 cm

Len Castle, early discoid wall vase, ash glazed with umber…

Ash-glazed Discoid Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, early discoid wall vase, ash glazed with umber pigmented mouth. Impressed mark, diameter 27.5 cm.

Len Castle, vase, salt glazed, Crum Brickwork period. Impressed…

Len Castle Salt Glazed Vase, Crum Brickwork Period

Len Castle, vase, salt glazed, Crum Brickwork period. Impressed mark to base. Height 13.5 cm

Len Castle double aperture grass vase, spherical form with two…

Double Aperture Grass Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle double aperture grass vase, spherical form with two tapered narrow openings, matt umber glaze, incised script initials. Height 14 cm.

Len Castle ribbed vase, impressed mark, 12.5 cm. Illustrated:…

Len Castle Ribbed Vase, Impressed Mark, 12.5 cm

Len Castle ribbed vase, impressed mark, 12.5 cm. Illustrated: Elliott & Skinner, Conetendown p. 126

Len Castle, stoneware hanging bottle vase, with grey ash glaze,…

Stoneware Hanging Bottle Vase with Ash Glaze, Len Castle

Len Castle, stoneware hanging bottle vase, with grey ash glaze, impressed mark to the back, height 21 cm

Len Castle vase, modelled after a fossil shell, ribbed texture…

Umber Ribbed Fossil Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle vase, modelled after a fossil shell, ribbed texture to one side, small aperture at top. Umber pigmented. Impressed mark 'Lc', 17 cm height

Len Castle, sedge grass vase, impressed mark, 14 cm height

Len Castle Sedge Grass Vase 14cm Impressed Mark

Len Castle, sedge grass vase, impressed mark, 14 cm height

Len Castle celadon glaze specimen vase, impressed mark, 21 cm…

Len Castle Celadon Glaze Specimen Vase - 10cm

Len Castle celadon glaze specimen vase, impressed mark, 21 cm height

A vintage Len Castle pottery vase, spherical form with four…

Len Castle Pottery Vase with Four Spouts

A vintage Len Castle pottery vase, spherical form with four spout form apertures to the top, impressions to the shoulder between, the top with thick caramel toned rock-ash type glaze, unglazed lower body, impressed mark, c.1960. Height 23.5 cm

A Len Castle earthenware vase, ovoid form with comb design to…

Len Castle Earthenware Vase with Comb Design

A Len Castle earthenware vase, ovoid form with comb design to body. Trumpet mouth with very minor loss. Stamped to base. Height 24 cm, depth 21 cm

Len Castle, early Crum Brickworks salt glaze stoneware ovoid…

Crum Brickworks Salt Glaze Stoneware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, early Crum Brickworks salt glaze stoneware ovoid vase, impressed mark, height 28 cm

A Len Castle set of three spherical grass vases, graduating,…

Len Castle Graduating Spherical Grass Vases

A Len Castle set of three spherical grass vases, graduating, umber matt glaze, impressed potter's mark to each. the tallest 13 cm.

Len Castle, stoneware globular vase, with turquoise glaze,…

Turquoise Stoneware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, stoneware globular vase, with turquoise glaze, impressed mark near the foot, height 21 cm

Len Castle, volcanic hanging bottle vase, grey stained white…

Volcanic Hanging Bottle Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, volcanic hanging bottle vase, grey stained white earthenware, with three high ridges and small pools of lava to the front, impressed mark to the back, height 25 cm

Len Castle stoneware vase, cylindrical shaped, pinched at the…

Len Castle Stoneware Double Aperture Vase

Len Castle stoneware vase, cylindrical shaped, pinched at the top section to create a double aperture, Green/brown ash glaze, 21 cm height

Len Castle, large stoneware globular vase, with textured umber…

Textured Umber Stoneware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, large stoneware globular vase, with textured umber pigmented surface. Height 21 cm

A Len Castle ovoid specimen vase, in blue and green glaze.…

Len Castle Blue and Green Ovoid Vase

A Len Castle ovoid specimen vase, in blue and green glaze. Impressed maker's mark. Height 13 cm, diameter 9.5 cm

Len Castle, unusual large hanging form ribbed bottle vase,…

Large Ribbed Hanging Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, unusual large hanging form ribbed bottle vase, textured umber pigmented surface incised initials height 44 cm (two tiny chips)

A Len Castle tapered double aperture vase, flattened ovoid form…

Len Castle Tapered Double Aperture Vase with Rubbed Finish

A Len Castle tapered double aperture vase, flattened ovoid form with four small holes below the tapered top as three bars, pigment rubbed finish. Impressed mark. Height 19 cm

Len Castle, press moulded discoid vase, with burnt umber…

Burnt Umber Discoid Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, press moulded discoid vase, with burnt umber pigmented surface, impressed mark. Height 35 cm

Len Castle, two spherical vases, wood fired stoneware, both…

Len Castle Wood Fired Stoneware Spherical Vases, 1960s

Len Castle, two spherical vases, wood fired stoneware, both with impressed mark to the base and dated 1960's on affixed label, graduating sizes, height 12 cm max. Provenance: John Crichton Estate

Len Castle, Sedge vase, iron oxide washed stoneware with…

Iron Oxide Sedge Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, Sedge vase, iron oxide washed stoneware with textured surface, incised initials to the base, height 22.5 cm

A Len Castle pottery vase, cylindrical with tapering foot and…

Len Castle Tenmoku Vase

A Len Castle pottery vase, cylindrical with tapering foot and short trumpet mouth, feldspar and tenmoku glazes, impressed artist's mark. Height 26 cm

Len Castle, large stoneware vase, tenmoku over ash glaze with…

Stoneware Vase with Incised Design by Len Castle

Len Castle, large stoneware vase, tenmoku over ash glaze with incised design, impressed mark, height 29 cm

Len Castle wall vase, impressed mark, 28.5 cm length

Len Castle Impressed Wall Vase 28.5cm

Len Castle wall vase, impressed mark, 28.5 cm length

Len Castle pierced vase, tenmoku glaze, c. 1990, impressed mark…

Len Castle Tenmoku Pierced Vase

Len Castle pierced vase, tenmoku glaze, c. 1990, impressed mark to base, 14 cm height

Len Castle, stoneware bottle vase, with shino glaze, impressed…

Shino Glazed Stoneware Bottle Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, stoneware bottle vase, with shino glaze, impressed initials, height 26 cm

Len Castle, ovoid stoneware vase, with fire symbol motif in…

Green/Grey Ash Glazed Ovoid Vase with Fire Symbol Motif

Len Castle, ovoid stoneware vase, with fire symbol motif in green/grey ash glazes with, 1960s, C mark, height 23 cm

Len Castle, stoneware bottle vase, c. 1979, with rare fractured…

Fractured Stoneware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, stoneware bottle vase, c. 1979, with rare fractured glaze height 16 cm

Len Castle gourd vase, impressed mark, 20 cm

Len Castle gourd vase with impressed mark, 20 cm height

Len Castle gourd vase, impressed mark, 20 cm

Len Castle, two porcelain double aperture grass vases, umber…

Len Castle Double Aperture Grass Vases

Len Castle, two porcelain double aperture grass vases, umber pigmented, impressed mark to each. Tallest 14 cm.

Len Castle, early bottle vase, stoneware with unglazed neck…

Len Castle Bottle Vase with Incised Design

Len Castle, early bottle vase, stoneware with unglazed neck with incised design, ash glaze to the body, impressed mark and dated 1958 to affixed label, height 27.5 cm. Note: See Len Castle potter p. 26 for a similar example. Provenance: John Crichton…

Len Castle, ovoid specimen vases, a group of five with various…

Len Castle Ovoid Specimen Vases Set of 5

Len Castle, ovoid specimen vases, a group of five with various glaze applications. All with impressed mark. Height 21.5 cm. (largest)

A Len Castle small pod form wall vase, oval form with combed…

Len Castle Oval Wall Vase with Combed Panel

A Len Castle small pod form wall vase, oval form with combed concave central panel, umber washed. Impressed potters mark, height 10 cm.

Len Castle, stoneware hanging form bottle vase, with iron oxide…

Stoneware Hanging Form Bottle Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, stoneware hanging form bottle vase, with iron oxide wash with ochre pigment, impressed initials, height 43 cm

Len Castle, stoneware vase, of ovoid shape with shino glaze,…

Shino-glazed Stoneware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, stoneware vase, of ovoid shape with shino glaze, impressed initials, height 20 cm

Len Castle, stoneware bottle vase, with green glaze and…

Green Glazed Stoneware Vase with Textured Surface

Len Castle, stoneware bottle vase, with green glaze and textured surface, incised initials. Height 30 cm

Len Castle, square bottle vase in the Japanese manner in…

Japanese-style Tenmoku Glaze Square Bottle Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, square bottle vase in the Japanese manner in tenmoku glaze with rutile flashings to the sides and shoulder, impressed mark (glaze obscured) 29 cm height

Len Castle bottle vase, stoneware copper glaze, impressed mark,…

Len Castle Stoneware Copper Glaze Bottle Vase

Len Castle bottle vase, stoneware copper glaze, impressed mark, 35 cm height

Len Castle hanging bottle vase, impressed mark, 26 cm length

Len Castle Impressed Hanging Vase - 26cm

Len Castle hanging bottle vase, impressed mark, 26 cm length

Len Castle, sea secrets earthenware vase. Width 30 cm

Sea Secrets Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, sea secrets earthenware vase. Width 30 cm

Len Castle, ovoid stoneware vase, with unusual speckled blue…

Speckled Blue Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, ovoid stoneware vase, with unusual speckled blue glaze. Height 16 cm

Len Castle. Vase, early stoneware with four apertures, mottled…

Len Castle Blue Glazed Stoneware Vase with Four Apertures

Len Castle. Vase, early stoneware with four apertures, mottled blue glaze. Impressed mark. Height 24 cm. Diameter 24 cm

Len Castle hanging discoid form wall vase, the textured finish…

Textured Discoid Wall Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle hanging discoid form wall vase, the textured finish with dark umber rubbed glazed highlights, two hanging lugs to the reverse and incised potter's scripted initials. Height 33 cm.

Len Castle, specimen vase, stoneware with speckled matt grey…

Speckled Grey Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, specimen vase, stoneware with speckled matt grey glaze, height 17 cm

Len Castle, slab vase, shino glaze. Impressed mark. Height 36.5…

Shino Slab Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, slab vase, shino glaze. Impressed mark. Height 36.5 cm. Width 27 cm

Len Castle, three spherical vases, graduating sizes, umber…

Graduating Umber Spherical Vases by Len Castle

Len Castle, three spherical vases, graduating sizes, umber pigmented, impressed mark to each. Tallest 15 cm.

Len Castle early elongated ovoid vase, impressed mark, 27 cm…

Len Castle elongated ovoid vase, impressed mark, 27 cm

Len Castle early elongated ovoid vase, impressed mark, 27 cm height (slight chip to base)

Len Castle, double necked orb vase, in heavily textured oxide…

Double Necked Orb Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, double necked orb vase, in heavily textured oxide washed stoneware, 1980s, LC mark, width 20 cm

Len Castle, double necked vase, impressed mark, 23 cm height

Len Castle Double Necked Vase - Impressed Mark - 23cm

Len Castle, double necked vase, impressed mark, 23 cm height

A Len Castle square section bottle vase, similar to above.…

Len Castle Square Bottle Vase, 28.5 cm Height

A Len Castle square section bottle vase, similar to above. Height 28.5 cm.

A large Len Castle stoneware vase, baluster form with swollen…

Len Castle Stoneware Vase with Calcium Glaze

A large Len Castle stoneware vase, baluster form with swollen top, stepped rounded banding, the calcium glaze giving matt white effect with blue and darker tones showing, three impressions to the body, impressed mark. Height 37.5 cm.

Len Castle, hexagonal vase in temmoku glaze, 20 cm high

Temmoku Hexagonal Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, hexagonal vase in temmoku glaze, 20 cm high

Len Castle large squat vase c1970, ovoid form with indented…

Len Castle Large Squat Vase: Ovoid Form with Ribbed Detail

Len Castle large squat vase c1970, ovoid form with indented ribbed detail, the shoulder with a heavy partial pale glaze over tenmoku. Impressed potters mark. Diameter 27.5 cm. Height 24 cm.

A Len Castle hanging vase, a tapered angular form with a…

Len Castle Hanging Vase: Angular Form with Perforated Disc Top

A Len Castle hanging vase, a tapered angular form with a perforated disc form top. Maker's mark to back, height 51 cm, width 9 cm

Len Castle, stoneware bottle vase, with rare fractured glaze,…

Fractured Glaze Stoneware Bottle Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, stoneware bottle vase, with rare fractured glaze, circa 1979, impressed initials, height 16 cm. Illustrated: Ron Sang and Len Castle, Len Castle potter, Sang Publications 2002, p. 151

Len Castle wall vase, impressed mark, 22.5 cm length

Len Castle Impressed Wall Vase - 22.5 cm

Len Castle wall vase, impressed mark, 22.5 cm length

Len Castle, stoneware vase, of ovoid shape with shino glaze.…

Ovoid Shino Glazed Stoneware Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, stoneware vase, of ovoid shape with shino glaze. Impressed initials to the base. Height 20 cm

Len Castle Crum Brickworks salt glazed vase, the ovoid body…

Salt Glazed Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle Crum Brickworks salt glazed vase, the ovoid body with ring neck, two salt gems (drips) highlight the shoulder, early impressed mark. Height 23 cm.

Len Castle, double necked Orb vase c1980s, oxide washed…

Len Castle Double Necked Orb Vase

Len Castle, double necked Orb vase c1980s, oxide washed stoneware, impressed mark, 16 cm height

Len Castle blue vase, ovoid form with fine piercings encircling…

Len Castle Blue Pierced Vase, 29cm

Len Castle blue vase, ovoid form with fine piercings encircling the base of the neck. Impressed mark. 29 cm height

A large Len Castle wall vase, stylised winged form with…

Len Castle Winged Wall Vase

A large Len Castle wall vase, stylised winged form with concentric incised circle decoration to the tapered edges, matt umber glazed finish, lug supports for hanging to the reverse, maker's initials incised in script to the reverse. Width 37.5 cm, height…

Len Castle, volcanic hanging bottle vase, grey stained white…

Volcanic Hanging Bottle Vase with Lava Glaze by Len Castle

Len Castle, volcanic hanging bottle vase, grey stained white earthenware, small pools of lava glaze to the front, impressed mark to the back, height 19 cm

Len Castle, early squat spherical vase with three apertures,…

Experimental Stoneware Vase by Len Castle (1963-64)

Len Castle, early squat spherical vase with three apertures, stoneware with early experimental crackled glaze (some losses), impressed mark to the base, dated 1963-64 on affixed label, height 16 cm

Len Castle hanging celadon glaze bottle vase, impressed mark,…

Len Castle Celadon Bottle Vase, 18 cm

Len Castle hanging celadon glaze bottle vase, impressed mark, 18 cm height

Len Castle, vase, square section slab vase with tenmoku and wax…

Tenmoku Wax Resist Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, vase, square section slab vase with tenmoku and wax resist glaze. Height 30 cm

Len Castle, fossil form hanging bottle vase, grey stained white…

Pebble-textured hanging vase with blue glaze

Len Castle, fossil form hanging bottle vase, grey stained white earthenware, the textured external surface with high relief pebble-like decoration, the interior with alkaline blue glaze, impressed mark to the back, height 21 cm

A Len Castle stoneware discoid vase, three textured rope…

Len Castle Textured Discoid Vase

A Len Castle stoneware discoid vase, three textured rope impressions each side, iron oxide wash, impressed early mark. Height 33.3 cm.

Len Castle, small incense vase, stoneware, 16 x 13 cm

Small Stoneware Incense Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, small incense vase, stoneware, 16 x 13 cm

Len Castle, Sea Secret hanging vase, earthenware with alkaline…

Alkaline Blue Hanging Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, Sea Secret hanging vase, earthenware with alkaline blue glaze to the interior, impressed mark to the back, height 20 cm

Len Castle, slab sided bottle vase in Japanese manner c1970,…

Slab-Sided Japanese Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle, slab sided bottle vase in Japanese manner c1970, impressed mark, 29 cm height

Len Castle, hanging bottle vase, grey stained white earthenware,…

Textured Hanging Vase with Alkaline Blue Interior

Len Castle, hanging bottle vase, grey stained white earthenware, textured surface and alkaline blue glazed interior, impressed mark to the back, width 20 cm

Len Castle stoneware vase ash glaze with impressed decoration,…

Impressed Stoneware Vase with Ash Glaze and Decoration

Len Castle stoneware vase ash glaze with impressed decoration, impressed mark,16 cm high

Len Castle shino glazed vase, rope impressed decoration,…

Shino Glazed Rope Vase by Len Castle (1970)

Len Castle shino glazed vase, rope impressed decoration, impressed potter's mark, c.1970. Height 22 cm

Len Castle, Discoid vase, impressed mark, 35 cm, height

Len Castle Discoid Vase, 35cm Height

Len Castle, Discoid vase, impressed mark, 35 cm, height

Len Castle, double aperture vase, impressed mark, 16 cm dia

Len Castle Double Aperture Vase, Impressed Mark, 16cm Dia

Len Castle, double aperture vase, impressed mark, 16 cm dia

Len Castle, square section bottle vase, stoneware with matt…

Len Castle Stoneware Bottle Vase with Jun Glaze

Len Castle, square section bottle vase, stoneware with matt jun-type glaze, impressed Lc mark to the foot, 29 x 10 x 9 cm

A Len Castle discoid wall vase, the convex body with repeat…

Len Castle Umber Discoid Wall Vase

A Len Castle discoid wall vase, the convex body with repeat impressed panel, short, swollen flat top. Impressed potter's mark. Umber finish. Diameter 23 cm.

Len Castle, Crum Brickworks salt glaze ovoid vase, with…

Crum Brickworks Salt Glaze Ovoid Vase, Len Castle (1950)

Len Castle, Crum Brickworks salt glaze ovoid vase, with mid-brown manganese slip, circa 1950, C mark, height 22 cm

Len Castle square slab bottle vase, copper glaze, impressed…

Copper Glazed Square Vase by Len Castle

Len Castle square slab bottle vase, copper glaze, impressed mark, 30 cm height

Len Castle slab form shino vase, rectangular form with…

Shino Slab Vase with Cut-Out Top by Len Castle

Len Castle slab form shino vase, rectangular form with rectangular cut-out top opening, the glaze pale at the top red/brown to the base. Impressed mark. 23 x 8.8 x 27 cm.