Untitled

DateLate 1990s

Artist Toshiko Takaezu (American, 1922 - 2011)

CultureJapanese-American

MediumGlazed stoneware

Dimensions21 x 7 x 7 in. (53.34 x 17.78 x 17.78 cm)

Credit LineGift of the artist

On View

Not on view

Period20th c

Classification(s)

Sculpture

InscribedOn tape affixed to the bottom, by unidentified hand in ink: 15,000 Vincent + Bob talk to Paul + [illegible]

MarkingsIncised square with a small hole in the center with two vertical lines connected by one horizontal line at center and the right vertical line with a horizontal line extending left halfway to center, both near the base; on bottom, incised with the artist's cipher: 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

DescriptionA yellow form with abstract black forms and orange gradients at top and bottom 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