After studying under Peter Voulkos at the Los Angeles County Art Institute, Denver native Paul Soldner (1921–2011) became a pottery professor there in the 1960s, when the revolutionary California Clay Movement took root.
Soldner pioneered American-style raku firing methods, experimental updates of the centuries-old Japanese process, which involve pulling red-hot sculptures out of the kiln to be bathed in smoke or dipped in cold water, resulting in beautifully frazzled glazes.
“These new firing and post-firing reduction methods often led to spontaneous, unpredictable and quite wonderful results,” says Greg Nielson, of Dwell Floor Five, in Studio City, California.
Soldner’s raku vases, for instance, with their charred surfaces, seem to smile humbly through the scars of their past adversity.
Alongside the likes of Toshiko Takaezu, Soldner innovated chunky, funky ceramics in the mid-century and beyond. He is one Voulkos student at whom enthusiasts should take a serious look, advises dealer Jayson Lawfer.
The owner of The Nevica Project, a gallery with venues in Chicago and Kansas City, Lawfer explains that Soldner “was a master of raku and was credited with bringing the historic Asian technique to the U.S.” He adds that “Soldner used simple techniques of throwing pottery on the wheel, but to make his sculptural forms more interesting, he also pressed burlap into the clay and stepped on it to give it different textures."
Find Paul Soldner pottery for sale on 1stDibs.
Paul Soldner Abstract Expressionist Studio Ceramic Vase
By Paul Soldner
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Paul Soldner (1921-2010) abstract expressionist pottery vase. Glaze in black and brown, partly unglazed. Excellent design, mint condition. Signed Soldner on the bottom. Measures: 10" H x 8 3/4" W. Paul Soldner (1921-2011) was an American ceramic artist, noted for his experimentation with the 16th...
Clay
Ceramic 'Pedestal Piece' Vessel by Paul Soldner
By Paul Soldner
Located in Dallas, TX
Paul Soldner (American, 1921-2011) was an early pupil of legendary, abstract expressionist potter Peter Voulkos. He also did pioneering work in raku, the 16th century technique which...
Ceramic
American Raku Pottery Vessel by Paul Soldner
By Paul Soldner
Located in Atlanta, GA
A modern pottery vessel by American potter Paul Soldner (1921-2011) circa 1960s. Paul Soldner is renowned for his dedication to develop and further Raku firing in American pottery fi...
Pottery
Tourmaline #6 Ceramic Vessel by Thom Lussier
By Thom Lussier
Located in New York, NY
From the Tourmaline series by Thom Lussier, hand-crafted exclusively for Cafiero Select. #6 Is the only piece in the collection shaped in this manner. T...
Stoneware
Large Signed Native American Style Raku Pottery Vase
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Large signed Native American style 2 tone crackle glaze hand thrown Raku pottery vase Approximate measurements in inches 14" high x 13" wide ...
Ceramic, Pottery
American Indian Michael Hawley Pottery Vessel
Located in Dallas, TX
A fabulous Michael Hawley, Chakoptewa pottery vessel made using traditional Hopi methods. Michael Hawley, of Scottsdale, Arizona, is the only living potter today creating true Siky...
Clay, Paint
Raku Fired Vessel by Tony Evans Designs
By Tony Evans
Located in Denton, TX
Evan's distinctive style of raku pottery produced interesting fired and burnt glazes, both gloss and matte, that emulate patina, oxidation and verdigris, signed and labeled.
Clay
Small Textured Ceramic Vessel
Located in Millbrook, NY
Ivory Textured Hand Made Ceramic Vase signed by the artist. This vase, with large handles and textured surface is a study in scale and presence. This vase will be a standout in your ...
Ceramic
$255
H 3.5 in Dm 3.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Black & Blue American Raku Vase, Vessel Studio Art Pottery 80
Located in Miami, FL
Round American Raku Mid-Century Modern inside glazed handcrafted blue and black vase, or vessel. The Studio Art Pottery is two textured vase. A-74...
Clay, Pottery
Monumental 1980's Ceramic Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
Monumental 1980's Ceramic Vessel from the Collection of Ruth Horwich 22" highX 25" wide X 8" depth Beautiful colors, Glazed ceramic with slot in top, double sided designs.
Ceramic
Andrew Berends Raku Art Pottery Vase
Located in Dallas, TX
The Brendan Bass Estate Collection pays homage to the beauty of vintage and antique pieces, each artfully concealing endless stories collected through the generations in which they ...
Pottery
Vintage Raku Fired Vessel
Located in Denton, TX
Organic modern Raku fired hand sculpted vessel with colors of green, red, gray and textured glaze that shimmers in the light. stamped at the bottom.
Clay
Abstract Tony Evans Raku Pottery Vase
By Tony Evans
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Extraordinary studio art signed Tony Evans raku vase. The shape, colors and texture really amaze from every angle of this piece.
Ceramic
Vintage 1994 Studio Pottery Vessel - Signed American Ceramic
Located in Delray Beach, FL
This vintage studio pottery vessel dates to November 1994 and reflects a thoughtful balance of weight, tactility, and restraint. Substantial and thick-walled for its scale, the piece...
Ceramic
American Arts and Crafts Pottery Vessels, 4
Located in Astoria, NY
Collection of Four American Arts and Crafts Pottery Vessels, comprising: two Peters & Reed Landsun bowls, a polychrome glazed ceram...
Ceramic, Pottery
Sold
H 14.5 in W 9 in D 5 in
Paul Soldner Signed Large Raku Fired Mid-Century Modern Vessel Sculpture Vase
By Paul Soldner
Located in Studio City, CA
A rather unique and special piece by renowned American potter Paul Soldner who in the 1950s was Peter Voulkos' first student and later became famed for developing the technique now known as "American Raku", a practice of using low temperature salt firing...
Earthenware