Untitled

DateEarly-mid 1980s

Artist Toshiko Takaezu (American, 1922 - 2011)

CultureJapanese-American

MediumGlazed Stoneware

Dimensions12 1/4 x 6 x 6 in. (31.12 x 15.24 x 15.24 cm)

Credit LineGift of the artist

On View

Not on view

Period20th c

Classification(s)

Sculpture

MarkingsOn bottom, incised with the artist's cipher at center: II

ProvenanceGift of the artist

Label TextOne of the twentieth century’s greatest ceramic artists, Toshiko Takaezu is best known for her “closed forms,” which she threw on the potter’s wheel and then sealed at the top, with only a tiny vent to allow air to escape in the blazing-hot kiln. On view here are three of the eight examples the artist donated to the Loeb, spanning a wide range of shape, size, and surface treatment. Takaezu was raised by Japanese parents who, before she was born, had relocated to Hawai’i, where she was raised speaking Japanese. During a 1993 visit to Shigaraki, a historic ceramic center in Japan, she used the distinctive clay of that region, which has scattered inclusions of quartz. These partially melt during firing, resulting in glinting, pearl-like protrusions seen on the surface of the small, warm reddish form. Working at the studio of fellow acclaimed ceramicist Nahamura Kimpei and the kiln at the Shigaraki Ceramic Culture Park, Takaezu made about thirty closed forms of this same modest size. She also created one large closed form that features expressive black brushstrokes, while most of the others are unadorned. Adapted from the entry in Making & Meaning by Glenn Adamson

DescriptionCylindrical beige-yellow form with a rounded top and abstract black shapes near the bottom with areas of orange and a small lifted hole at the top.

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email loebcollections@vassar.edu