Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

Pair of Sculptural White Ceramic Kawa Vase 12, Organic Modern porcelain

About the Item

A pair of tall porcelain flower vases with a textured exterior surface and clear glazed interior. As a result of the production process, each vase is one-of-a-kind. Dimensions 6" diameter x 14" height per vase Sold as a set of 2. Signed and dated. Lead time 4-5 weeks. Kawa Series by Luft Tanaka Studio The unusual and painstakingly honed technique used to create the Kawa Series is distinct to Luft Tanaka Studio. Each Kawa piece begins as a sketch on paper. With the assistance of 3-D modeling, we create patterns for a leather mold. After the mold is sewn and prepared for casting, liquid porcelain is poured inside, over time forming a thin wall along the leather surface. The mold is then carefully cut open at the seams and delicately peeled off the porcelain. Background The Kawa Series was initially conceived in early 2012, when Luft’s thesis project at the Parsons School of Design called for a varied collection of eye-catching objects. Guided as he often is by his wabi-sabi tendencies, Luft became obsessed with devising a new system of production where process dictated form—and where objects created in multiples could still be one-of-a-kind. He experimented with a number of mediums over the course of a few months, but his aha-moment came one afternoon when he stumbled upon a discarded leather couch on a Manhattan curb. (“Kawa” is Japanese for “leather” or “skin.”) Luft had been studying the process of slip-casting, a traditional ceramic technique used to create nearly-identical objects—though typically using solid plaster molds. His technical understanding allowed him to see an opportunity in that curbside leather couch, so he did what any industrial design student would do: He took his utility knife out of his bag, stripped the couch of its leather, and brought his new materials back to the studio for immediate experimentation. By testing many different types of leather, as well as different ways to fabricate the molds, Luft gradually evolved the process from a messy first batch, where many of the pieces didn't survive the kiln, to test pieces that bore the early marks of his signature: both weird and beautiful, hard and soft, expressive, and full of personality.
  • Creator:
    Luft Tanaka (Artist, Designer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)Diameter: 6 in (15.24 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Style:
    Modern (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    2022
  • Production Type:
    New & Custom(Current Production)
  • Estimated Production Time:
    5-6 weeks
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    Brooklyn, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU6099238535302

More From This Seller

View All
White Ceramic Porcelain Kawa Flower Vase 12 by Luft Tanaka, Organic Modern
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A tall and expressive porcelain flower vase with a textured exterior surface and clear glazed interior. As a result of the production process each vase is one-of-a-kind. Dimensions...
Category

2010s American Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain, Clay

Set of 3 White Organic Vases, Kawa Vases, sculptural, abstract, ceramic
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A set of 3 leather-cast porcelain vases with textured exterior surface and clear glazed interior. Made by casting liquid clay into sewn leather molds, all pieces in the Kawa Series ...
Category

2010s American Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Porcelain

In-Stock, Organic Ceramic Kawa Vase 9.4, White, Textured, Sculptural, Porcelain
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An sculptural and organic porcelain vase with leather textured exterior surface and satin glazed interior. As a result of the production process each item is one-of-a-kind. A multi...
Category

2010s American Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Porcelain

White Ceramic Kawa Vase #17, Organic Porcelain Flower Vase, Tactile
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A tall porcelain flower vase with an organic and fabric-like surface. Clear glazed applied on interior surface. As a result of the production process each vase is one-of-a-kind. Th...
Category

2010s American Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Set of 5, Kawa Series Porcelain Vases & Bowls, Decor, White Ceramic, Organic
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A set of 5 leather-cast porcelain vases & bowls with textured exterior surface and clear glazed interior. Dynamic and organic in form, the set can be used as a cluster or individuall...
Category

2010s American Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Porcelain

White Ceramic Kawa Vase #13, Organic Porcelain Flower Vase, Leather-cast
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A tall porcelain flower vase with an organic and fabric-like surface. Clear glazed applied on interior surface. As a result of the production pro...
Category

2010s American Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

You May Also Like

Africa Organic Modern Pair of Cast Lost Wax Aluminum Vases
Located in Brescia, IT
This pair of fascinating vases are completely handmade following the antique use of cast lost wax in hearth, probabily in Tunisia. For this reason these aluminum vases have a materia...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Tunisian Organic Modern Vases

Materials

Aluminum

Modern Italian Pair of Gold Honeycomb Murano Glass Organic Round Vases
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in New York, NY
Can also be purchased individually - A set of two Venetian decorative vases, in blown Murano glass, worked with pure 24k gold, the body in a textured gla...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Organic Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Gold

Contemporary Collectible Vase Hand Painted Porcelain Ceramic
By Coralla Maiuri
Located in Roma, RM
Handcrafted from the finest terracotta, the Tarquinia Cassata vase has light blue brushstrokes floating on a warm pink enamel surface. The top is crowned by a rough-edged rim, and in...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-20th Century Pair of Porcelain Decorative Vases
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid-20th century pair porcelain decorative vases / pieces with exterior gilt design details. Each vase is in great vintage condition. Maker's mark undersigned & numbered. Each vase s...
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Vases

Materials

Gold

Murano Garnet Pink White Organic Art Glass Centerpiece Vase
Located in Barcelona, ES
Italian Mid-Century Modern purple and white murano glass free form centerpiece. Italy, 1960s A highly decorative and sculptural Murano glass centerpiece made in shades of garnet and ...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Centerpieces

Materials

Opaline Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass, Glass

Ceramic Vase
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
Ceramic Model of a Warwick Vase Ceramic Model of a Warwick Vase. After Clodion. With egg and dart rim, the vessel cast in relief with cherub heads and entwined branch-form handl...
Category

Antique 19th Century European Neoclassical Revival Urns

Materials

Ceramic

Recently Viewed

View All