Glazed Studio Pottery Vessel
Ceramic; wheel-thrown functional art • O'Keeffe (incised signature on base); likely a regional American studio potter
Style & Movement
Contemporary Craft; American Studio Pottery
Medium & Technique
Stoneware or earthenware with multi-tone salt or ash glaze; wheel-thrown with prominent horizontal ridging (combing technique) and a dip-glaze application
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st century (Contemporary Studio Pottery movement)
Dimensions & Format
Small to medium scale (approx. 4-6 inches in diameter); circular/cylindrical three-dimensional format
Subject Description
A utilitarian cylindrical vessel, possibly a bowl or planter, featuring a tapered base. The exterior is decorated with distinct horizontal throwing ridges. The glaze shifts from a deep moss green at the rim to a warm terracotta or honey-orange mid-section, terminating above an unglazed buff-colored base.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the piece appears structurally sound with no visible cracks or large chips
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$40 - $80 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; likely acquired directly from a craft fair, studio sale, or regional gallery. The incised mark indicates an individual maker's mark used for identification in a kiln environment.
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the late 20th-century revival in handmade functional ceramics, emphasizing the 'hand of the maker' through visible throwing marks and experimental glazing typical of independent American potters.
Notable Features
Boldly incised 'O'KEEFFE' signature on the underside in a stylized, modern script; rhythmic horizontal texture; distinct 'tide line' where the glaze meets the raw clay body.
Condition Issues
Minor shelf wear on the unglazed foot; potential interior mineral staining if used as a planter; no major structural defects visible.
Conservation Recommendations
Hand wash only; avoid rapid thermal changes; display away from high-traffic edges to prevent impact damage.