Glazed Ceramic Studio Vase
Ceramic, decorative art/vessel • Studio potter; inscription on base reads "KAWAI" and likely a date or serial number "3-8". This suggests a modern studio craft artist, possibly influenced by or part of the Japanese Mingei-style movement or Western studio pottery tradition.
Style & Movement
Contemporary Studio Pottery / Studio Craft Movement
Medium & Technique
Wheel-thrown speckled stoneware or porcelain with reactive cobalt and copper-oxide glazes; features brushwork decoration on the neck and mottled glaze application on the bulbous body.
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st century (c. 1980–2010)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 5-7 inches in height; three-dimensional bulbous format.
Subject Description
A functionalist yet expressive vessel with a bulbous body and a slightly flared, cylindrical neck. The decoration consists of abstract, calligraphic lattice lines around the neck and a speckled, mottled blue and green glazes that evoke natural elements like water or moss.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good; the glaze appears intact with typical minor shelf wear and surface dust consistent with age and storage.
Estimated Market Value
$40 - $120
Auction Estimate
$30 - $80
Provenance History
Likely acquired via secondary market or thrift/antique retail (as indicated by the blurred blue price tag and retail environment). Part of a private collection or household use prior to current sale.
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of late-20th-century studio pottery focusing on the synthesis of form and glaze chemistry. While likely a production piece by a regional artist, it reflects the broader cultural trend of individual handcrafted vessels as a reaction against mass-produced ceramics.
Notable Features
Hand-signed 'KAWAI' on the foot ring; distinct '3-8' numeric marking; aesthetic use of reactive glaze layering resulting in purple-toned spotting over a sea-foam green base.
Condition Issues
Visible surface grime and dust; minor scuffing on the unglazed foot ring where it makes contact with surfaces; potential minor firing pits in the glaze which are characteristic of the medium.
Conservation Recommendations
Gentle cleaning with a non-abrasive damp cloth to remove surface dust. Display in a stable environment away from high-traffic edges to prevent tipping.