Organic Modern Ceramics

A massive stoneware tsubo floor jar created by Japanese contemporary ceramic artist Kai Tsujimura (1976-). The heavy jar with its impressive volume was made in the tradition of Iga ware with local coarse sandy clay that turned reddish after the firing. It took its shape from heavy medieval storage jars with a wide-open mouth. For a nearly identical form, see an Echizen jar from Heian period (794–1185) in the collection of MET (Accession Number: 1977.261). The surface showcases scattered white crystalized feldspars and a green vitrified ash glaze cascade down the body (known as biidoro in Japanese - after the Portuguese word for glass vidoro). These is a globular shape impressed on the jar. It is a signature practice of the Tsujimura potter family by stacking bowls between the pieces in the kiln during the firing, resulting in an accidental but iconic aethetic (Kai and Yui Tsujimura...

A wonderful example of the work of master Japanese potter, Shunichi Inoue. This vessel dates from his Australian residency. We love the potency of this very simple form - it has a powerful presence, connoting stillness, composure. For some reason it makes me think of the moon. It has the same still, calm, abiding presence. Shunichi Inoue studied ceramics at Kyoto City University of Arts 1969-75. He travelled to Australia to lecturer in ceramics at the Bendigo College of Advanced Education in Victoria, Australia where he stayed for three years. He returned to Australia in late 1984 as a visiting professor and again in 1993, when he made an extended stay. He was an active exhibitor and had an important influence on Australian pottery...

A contemporary Stoneware Bowl made in the tradition of Iga ware by Japanese ceramic artist Shiro Tsujimura (1947-). In a slightly irregular round form, the de...

Very unique Japanese vase with abstract pattern in a variety of brown tones. The deepest brown glaze is raised, giving the vase a wonderful tactile texture.

A highly unique ceramic sculpture by South Korean artist Jongjin Park (1982-). The square-form piece is boundary-pushing and defies both the traditional ...

Made by Japanese ceramic artist Makoto Yabe (1947-2005), this stoneware vase features a globular body supported by a round pedestal foot. A similarly shaped neck extends to a rimmed mouth opening. Robust in form with thick wall, the vase is noted for its irregular cloved form. The surface is covered in a beige-yellow glaze, on top of which, dark brown strokes and thick white feldspar slip were artistically applied in a splashed and washed pattern. Together with some random shallow incision lines, they form an abstract painting with textured surface where some slip forms small droplets at the end of the stroke. The work was created in traditional Japanese manner and reflects the beauty of Wabi Sabi, a Zen aesthetic for the imperfect perfection. The base was incised with the artist's cipher. "Makoto Yabe's work beautifully exemplifies the transmission of Japanese ceramics to the West. Born in Fukushima, Japan, Yabe began studying ceramics in Kyoto at the age of nine. He completed his training at the age of 24, with a four-year apprenticeship under Jinmatsu Uno and Sango Uno. Yabe then came to Boston, where he was an integral member of the local ceramic community, yet he maintained his Japanese roots. As an instructor of ceramics, Yabe worked in the Boston area at numerous schools and universities, touching the lives of all his students and expanding their knowledge and appreciation of studio ceramics." Biography sited from Pucker Gallery...

A fine large figurative ceramic sculpture made in ceramic with various earthen colors. Signed "PL 683", made by a French artist in 1950s. This sculptural figure will complement many ...

A bottle form vase by Japanese studio ceramic artist Jun Isezaki (Born in 1936). A modern Bizen yaki stoneware piece that is strongly rooted in history and ...

Very unique tall Japanese vase with abstract pattern in a variety of brown tones. The deepest brown glaze is raised, giving the vase a wonderful tac...

A large Japanese lidded ceramic jar from the kiln of Onda Yaki, circa 2010. The stoneware jar impresses the viewer with a robust bulbous form. Its black body is nearly unglazed but exuberantly splashed with strokes of slip glazes of white, yellow and blue. The visual effect is wonderful that it appears traditional and contemporary at the same time. The tri-color glaze calls to mind the San-Cai from Chinese Tang dynasty, yet the application is akin to abstract painting on canvas. Onda Yaki also spelled as Onta Yaki also spelled Onta, is a type of Japanese pottery produced in and around the village of Onta in Oita Prefecture in Kyushu Island. It was founded in 1705. Closely associated with Mingei folk art, Onda ware was inscribed by the national government in 1995 as an Intangible Cultural Property Background from Pucker Gallery where the jar was exibited and purchased. "In his search for true folk pottery, the Japanese philosopher Soetsu Yanagi...

A Japanese lidded ceramic jar from the kiln of Onda Yaki, circa 2007. The stoneware jar impresses the viewer with a robust bulbous form. and exuberantly splashed and dripped glaze in...

An antique terracotta water jar from Java, Indonesia. It has faded beautifully over the decades with a wonderful mix of textures and shades. The age related patina present on all sid...

Japanese ceramic Suzuki Tomio (born in 1948) specializes in Shino ware. In 2003, he successfully developed Yohen-kin or transformed gold Shino, an opulent and golden glaze which led to a number of luster glazes in the artist’s growing body of work. Inspired by the golden tea ceremony room in Osaka Castle commissioned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598) where honored guests were served tea from a glittering bowl coated with pure gold, it took the artist nearly a decade of experimentation and refinement to achieve the glaze while strictly adhering to traditional shino making techniques. This set of five Yohen-kin plates displays a lustrous transformation. Signed on the bottom of plates. With original wrap cloth and the storage tomobako box entitled and signed by the artist in Kanji, with additional red seal. The size of the box is 5-1/8 x 8-1/4 x 8-1/4 inches. Many of Suzuki Tomio's shino pottery...