Stoneware Flower Vase with Natural Ash Glaze by Tsujimura Shirō ‘*1947’

A contemporary Stoneware Bowl made in the tradition of Iga ware by Japanese ceramic artist Shiro Tsujimura (1947-). In a slightly irregular round form, the de...

A massive stoneware tsubo floor jar created by Japanese contemporary ceramic artist Kai Tsujimura (1976-). The heavy jar with its impressive volume was made in the tradition of Iga ware with local coarse sandy clay that turned reddish after the firing. It took its shape from heavy medieval storage jars with a wide-open mouth. For a nearly identical form, see an Echizen jar from Heian period (794–1185) in the collection of MET (Accession Number: 1977.261). The surface showcases scattered white crystalized feldspars and a green vitrified ash glaze cascade down the body (known as biidoro in Japanese - after the Portuguese word for glass vidoro). These is a globular shape impressed on the jar. It is a signature practice of the Tsujimura potter family by stacking bowls between the pieces in the kiln during the firing, resulting in an accidental but iconic aethetic (Kai and Yui Tsujimura...

A massive and magnificent ceramic Tsubo jar by Japanese potter Tsujimura Yui (1975-). Inspired by the techniques and aesthetics of the early medieval Sue ware, the artist hand builds an impressive voluminous oviform, irregular by intention, from a combination clay from both Shigaraki and Iga, coarse by nature and rich in feldspar. Fired on their sides horizontally, the surface of the thick wall tsubo is covered with streaks and drips of natural ash glazes in shades of green and blue, forming an abstract and mesmerizing pattern that resembles geothermal earth activity. Additional ashes are blown during the firing to accentuate the textures. Most recognizably, there are many circular marks scattered on the surface of his archaic looking vessels. That is resulted from using stacked tea bowls to prevent the conjoining of the vessels. After the firing, the stacked vessels are chipped away, leaving behind those circular impression, as well as deep pools of glaze which gather where they were placed. Born in 1975, Tsujimura Yui is the first son of the contemporary ceramic artist Tsujimura Shiro...

A wonderful example of the work of master Japanese potter, Shunichi Inoue. This vessel dates from his Australian residency. We love the potency of this very simple form - it has a powerful presence, connoting stillness, composure. For some reason it makes me think of the moon. It has the same still, calm, abiding presence. Shunichi Inoue studied ceramics at Kyoto City University of Arts 1969-75. He travelled to Australia to lecturer in ceramics at the Bendigo College of Advanced Education in Victoria, Australia where he stayed for three years. He returned to Australia in late 1984 as a visiting professor and again in 1993, when he made an extended stay. He was an active exhibitor and had an important influence on Australian pottery...

A spindle form porcelain vase by Brother Thomas Bezanson (1929-2007). As a modern interpretation of "Mei-Ping", a classic form of Chinese vase,...

Ming Dynasty (16th century) pottery vase with vivid turquoise glaze, decorated with dragons. The vase is partially moulded, with circular bosses around the mouth rim and a hexagonal ...