Sculptural Ceramic Handled Vase by Robert Turner

A glazed stoneware jar with lid by American Ceramist Robert Chapman Turner (1913-2005) entitled "Ashanti". The vessel was made in 1974, purchased in 1978 and held in the same collection since. It was published in the artist's monograph as shown below. One of the classic forms with variations in Turner's repertoire since 1970s, the jar feature a slightly irregular form with numerous surface patching and markings under an overall black glaze with blue tint. The dome-shape lid has a cross-shaped handle with small markings. The form was inspired by Ashanti culture he observed during his trips to Africa. Incised signature "Turner" on the base. "In 1971–72, drawn by the power of African sculpture, and wishing to imbue his work with a greater sense of universality, Robert Turner traveled to Nigeria and Ghana. The trip proved transformational. In West Africa he was deeply moved by the way in which art was ingrained in daily experience, and by the beauty of traditional forms of architecture, pottery, ceremonial objects, and decoration. After his return, Turner began to produce series of distinctive vessel types named after African kingdoms and peoples—Ashanti, Ife, Oshogbo, Akan. The first is a squat, lidded pot; the others are cone and cylinder shapes." Smithsonian American Art Museum Robert Turner's work is in numerous museum collections including the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City. For this piece, see page 33 in "Robert Turner Shaping Silence A Life in Clay" by Marsha Miro and Tony Hepburn.

A white stoneware vase by American Ceramist Robert Chapman Turner (1913 - 2005). Made between 1970-80s, the group of white-colored vessels with such a funnel form were called either Beach or Shore, obviously inspired by the ocean. Hand sculptured in a simple form with a neck opens to mouth that also can serve as a handle, the surface was always marked with artistic imperfection intended by the artist, such as incision and kiln bubble and burst. On this vase, the artist made several incision lines randomly, and also sparsely applied some tiny sand-like granules, adding a very subtle texture and allude to the scheme of the ocean. Incised signature "Turner" on the base. The vessel is one of the classic forms with variations in Turner's repertoire since 1970s when he started to make non-functional abstract sculptural pieces. Incised signature "Turner" on the base. "In 1971–72, drawn by the power of African sculpture, and wishing to imbue his work with a greater sense of universality, Robert Turner traveled to Nigeria and Ghana. The trip proved transformational. In West Africa he was deeply moved by the way in which art was ingrained in daily experience, and by the beauty of traditional forms of architecture, pottery, ceremonial objects, and decoration. After his return, Turner began to produce series of distinctive vessel types named after African kingdoms and peoples—Ashanti, Ife, Oshogbo, Akan. The first is a squat, lidded pot; the others are cone and cylinder shapes." Smithsonian American Art Museum Robert Turner's work is in numerous museum collections including the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City. Several examples of this series are illustrated in the book "Robert Turner Shaping Silence A Life in Clay" by Marsha Miro and Tony Hepburn...

A stoneware vase by Paul Chaleff (1947-) made in 1984. Chaleff is known for his wood fired ceramic vessel without glaze or sometimes natural ash glaze. The vase on offer is of a highly geometrical form with handcut multifaceted lower body that rises and morphs into a rounded upper body with two hand-molded ears above the shoulder. The surface shows nice firing color variations due to the iron oxidation in the kiln and also carved lines left intentionally by the artist. It is marked with the artist's incised signature and date 84. This piece has a very strong Japanese wabi-sabi appeal which is the aesthetic influence of the artist's work and makes a visually arresting center piece for any interior. "Paul Chaleff is known for his large-scale wood fired ceramic sculptures and vessels. He also created a large body of wheel thrown functional vessels. His vessels are strongly influenced by Japanese pottery, especially the work of one of Japan’s National Living Treasures, Takeshi Nakazato. Chaleff was one of the first American potters using a Japanese style Anagama kiln and became a leader in the introduction of this form of wood-burning kiln. In 1989, he began a regular collaboration with the British sculptor Sir Anthony Caro. Over a period of thirteen years, they created nearly 50 works, both figurative and abstract. Caro’s sculpture has had direct influence on Chaleff’s work as has the sculpture of Isamu Noguchi, and the ceramics of John Mason...

A glazed stoneware jar with lid by American Ceramist Robert Chapman Turner (1913-2005) entitled "Ashanti". The vessel was made in 1979 and was in...

A truly wonderful design piece, and one of my favourite pieces, is this hand-built wood fired twin handled studio pottery vase of sculptural form dating from the 20th century. The st...

Sculptural vase by Salvatore Meli (Comiso 1929 - Rome 2011), Italy 1950s. Meli studied at the Academia di Belle Arte in Florence and became a significant figure in the Italian post war art movement. Meli's work stands in-between the poles of painting and sculpture. This particular vase stands out in its unusual organic sculpted shape, painting and texture...

Studio stoneware vase in deep burgundy with ochre applied details (ca. 1970s, USA). Interesting textural and geometric elements. Attributed to the cer...

This wonderful oversized ceramic vase from Kaigler 1978 (signed) in rich and subdued earth tones. Features many details such as a disc element and finger holes for your hand to grip...