Incised Stoneware Vessel
Ceramic; functional or decorative stoneware vessel • Likely American or British Studio Potter; incised '396' or '96E' marking system suggesting a cataloged studio production or independent artist.
Style & Movement
Studio Pottery Movement; influenced by Modernist / Mid-Century Craft traditions.
Medium & Technique
Stoneware with visible manganese or iron speckling; wheel-thrown and hand-incised prior to firing; salt or ash glaze remnants visible on the shoulder.
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (circa 1970s–1990s)
Dimensions & Format
Dimensions unknown; circular base/body format typical of a vessel or vase.
Subject Description
Non-representational; the focus is on the materiality of the clay body and the process of construction, featuring a coarse texture with dark mineral inclusions.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; showing typical wear consistent with age, though a significant firing crack or stress fracture is visible across the incised numbers.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $250 (USD)
Auction Estimate
$40 - $150 (USD)
Provenance History
Private collection, likely acquired through a craft gallery or directly from a studio potter; incised numbering suggests it may have been part of an exhibition or inventory system.
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the late 20th-century resurgence of handmade ceramics and the Studio Pottery movement, emphasizing the 'mark of the maker' and raw material aesthetics.
Notable Features
Distinctive incised inventory/catalog numbers on the base; high-grit 'toothy' clay body with significant mineral speckling characteristic of high-fire reduction cycles.
Condition Issues
Prominent surface crack running through the incised mark; possible kiln residue or shelf-scarring on the base edge; minor surface abrasions.
Conservation Recommendations
Avoid moisture penetration into the crack; display on a soft surface to prevent further base wear; clean only with non-abrasive, dry methods.