Kiyoharu Ichino Contemporary Japanese Tamba Pottery Vessel, circa 2000

A striking Chinese Neolithic to Bronze Age burnished red pottery double handled saddle mouth storage jar, Siwa Culture (circa 1500 to 1100 BC), modern day Gansu Province, China. ...

A stunning and massive Chinese high fired gray pottery jar of remarkable size and girth, with impressed geometric design, Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD), ...

An attractive Neolithic Chinese burnished red pottery vessel, Qijia Culture (2200 BC - 1600 BC), modern day Gansu Province, China. The vessel of compressed globular form set on a short, pieced pedestal foot, and featuring two ear handles, a short, wide neck, and slightly everted mouth. A simple incised band decorates the otherwise plain body. The red pottery with a beautiful rich terracotta hue. The slight burnishing makes the vessel glow. The Qijia Culture was a late Neolithic...

A sublime Chinese neolithic burnished red pottery jug, Qijia Culture (2200 BC - 1600 BC), modern day Gansu Province, China. The simple jug of alluring form, with a voluptuous body, short, narrow neck with slightly everted mouth, and a single ear handle. The red pottery of gorgeous shades of terracotta, and slightly burnished. Overall surprisingly contemporary for a piece over three thousand years old. The Qijia Culture was a late Neolithic...

"Purple Dawn", a ceramic sculpture piece by Japanese potter Kiyoharu Ichino (1957-). Purchased from Touching Stone, Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2003. Tradition meets renovation, this sculptural piece with its slab like minimal shape draws the viewer into its mysterious shape that is reminiscent of a monument. Its surface, with the typical Tanba clay fired at very high temperature and completely free of glaze, radiates a subtle metallic sheen that is nearly in a shade of purple. This piece was purchased from Touching Stone, Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2003. Artist's bio from the gallery and the exhibition: "Kiyoharu Ichino was born in 1957 in Tachikui into an extended family steeped in pottery-making tradition. He learned all aspects of Tanba pottery since childhood. When he was twenty, he moved to Seto to study pottery under a master of Akatsu-yaki. Upon returning to Tachikui, he launched his career with the Tanba Group Kiln. In 1983, he established his own kiln and began showing in galleries all over Japan. His works have been selected repeatedly for the prestigious juried Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition sponsored by the Japan Crafts Association. In 1995, he was nominated to be a permanent member of The Japan Crafts Association, an honor bestowed to the most experienced and talented artists. Traditional Tanba pottery is fired unglazed at very high temperature in large wood-fueled kilns. Ichino uses both an anagama (hole kiln) and a noborigama (climbing kiln), burning almost a thousand bundles of wood over several days to bring out the unique personalities of Tanba clay, which is renowned for its rich texture and deep purplish brown colors. Many of his pieces show silvery fire-marks like swirling mists left by the wood fire. His pieces appear to be integral parts of the clay rather than separate objects made from it. To show the unique clay texture, he often includes seemingly unfinished edges in his designs, exposing the rough clay body. Despite the high level of sophistication and innovation, Ichino's works maintain a strong connection with the ancient Tanba pottery tradition. Ichino should be no stranger to many Santa Fe residents. His work has been exhibited both in Touching Stone Gallery and as part of a major exhibition in the New Mexico Museum of International Folk Art in 2006. About Tanba ware...

A striking stoneware vase made in the tradition of Shigaraki ware by celebrated Japanese potter Kohyama Yasuhisa (1936-) in the year of 2005. Born in the town of Shigaraki, Yasuhisa ...

Breathtaking in execution and form. Minimalist in design yet commanding the viewer's attention. This amazing piece is by Korean contemporary ceramist Yeo Byong-uk who is predominantl...

A substantial, flat ceramic and raku vase from France, originating from the 1970s, akin to the craftsmanship of the artisans of La Borne. This piece reflects their distinctive style,...