Dish Mouth Vase II, a unique black / ebony porcelain vase by Vivienne Foley

‘Black classic vase II’ is a unique porcelain sculptural vessel by the British artist, Vivienne Foley, which has been released from her own personal arch...

‘Black Classic Vase III' is a unique porcelain sculptural vessel by the British artist, Vivienne Foley, which has been released from her own personal arc...

‘Tall Lily Vase’ is a unique porcelain sculptural vessel by the British artist, Vivienne Foley, which has been released from her own personal archive of artworks. Vivienne Foley is based in Gloucestershire where she produces exquisite ceramic sculpture. Although in essence they are often functional pieces in form, it is their appearance that makes each unique work so much more. From dramatic structures to gentle sweeping curves, Foley's inherent understanding of porcelain is more than evident and testament to her patience with this most difficult of materials. Having worked with porcelain for over 5 decades, it is Foley’s dedication that gives her such sensitivity towards her medium. This combined with her expert glazing and acknowledgement of this material’s vast history, results in very fresh and modern works that equally pay homage to what has gone before. Flower forms, poppy heads, bracts and petals translate into foliate rims and sinuous necks, carved and pleated or swept into a spiral. A contemporary marriage of craft, history and nature. In her own words: “As a professional potter I have been producing thrown porcelains for over fifty years and so logic would dictate that I have ‘seen it all, done it all’ by now, but on the contrary I still continue to be challenged and interested. The technical frustrations and the uncertainty of results all seem worthwhile when one opens a successful kiln firing. The heart leaps! I have never been afraid to push my materials to the limit, to accept failures and to follow trails, but I am always excited when basic techniques and familiar methods result in something new. My primary interest is in ‘form’ and in finding solutions for what I call ‘damp engineering’. The comparatively non-plastic nature of porcelain dictates my having to join sections together, but a form must ‘flow’ and construction methods should not be obvious. Over the years I have fired every sort of kiln and dallied with glazes, spending untold hours testing and rejecting, but since I now work in a small space I find simple black and white glazes and slips are less distracting and best enhance my forms. I am not influenced by any particular thing – rather, I am interested in everything; always looking for quality and workmanship. I love all aspects of the design world from architecture to textiles. Museums, galleries and exhibitions are my addiction, with photography and the natural world a constant inspiration. My travels to China and my ongoing study of Chinese ceramics have also been an enduring theme and I have been lucky enough to handle and photograph some of the world’s great collections” Foley has a global following and is represented in private and public collections world wide. Public Collections and Acquisitions National Museum of Ireland, Dublin • Limerick City Art Gallery • Ulster Museum, N. Ireland • Crafts Council of Ireland • Centre of Ceramic Art, York Museums Trust • Southampton City Art Gallery • Leeds Museums & Galleries • US Ambassador to Ireland, Jean Kennedy Smith • President Hillery of Ireland • President Mary Robinson of Ireland • Prime Minister Charles Haughey of Ireland • President Hertzog of Israel • Prime Minister Keating of Australia • Prince Faisal of Saudi Arabia • US President Bill Clinton and Hilary Rodham Clinton • Royal Household, Sweden • Nancy Soderberg • President Jacques Chirac of France • Irish Embassy, Berlin • Sandy Lane Hotel, Barbados • Ford UK, London • Four Seasons Hotel, Amman, Jordan • Rolex...

'Tall Black Dehydrated Form No 63’ is a unique sculptural vessel by the British artist, Nicholas Arroyave-Portela. Nicholas Arroyave-Portela’s professional ceramic practice began in 1994. After 20 years based in London, he moved and set up his studio in Barcelona, Spain. Arroyave-Portela's creations are all thrown on the wheel using his own unique technique. Pulling up as much clay from the bottom mass as possible, the clay walls of each piece are created thin and even, maximising the artist’s ability to manipulate the form while the material is still soft and malleable. Additional porcelain slips are sometimes applied to create further surface textures and layering. After the first initial bisque firing (1080 degrees) glazes are applied by using various methods such as spraying and pouring, a process often repeated several times after each firing of 1260 degrees. The multi-firing process allows for the build-up of the glaze, creating a rich palette of tones and finishes. Arroyave-Portela's works can be found in various major museums and private collections worldwide including the Ashmolean Museum (Oxford UK...

Ceramic vase PALOMA white glazed finished cod. B003 S measures: Height 120.0 - Diameter 25.0 cm.  

Andre Bloch c2024 French ceramic black vase with signature on the side. Blochs ceramics are always signified by the undecorated and heavily textured clay and glaze application. The p...

Pamela - Ceramic vase black glazed cod. PA001 measures: H 125.0 cm., Dm. 38.0 cm.  

GILDA - Ceramic vase black glazed finished cod. GILDA001 Measures: Height 160.0 cm, diameter 38.0 cm.