Monthly Archives: July 2018

Exquisite snuff bottle art

 

 

 Carved Amber Dragon Snuff Bottle

China, late 20th century

 

 

Sho’ nuff snuff stuff   –  the Art of Snuff

 

Made from powdered tobacco mixed with aromatic spices and herbs, snuff was introduced into China from Japan in the 17th Century. The inhalant had medicinal qualities and was initially transported in cylindrical bottles. As its popularity increased, so did the aesthetic of the vessels that it was carried in. There are references of medicinal “snuff” in the Indian traditional medical classic, Charaka Samhita, dating back to the 2nd Century AD.
Coveted by nobility and used by royalty, it was a symbol of social status in both the East and in Europe, hence the fine craftsmanship and quality of many snuff bottles and boxes, which were often exchanged as gifts on special occasions. Precious materials like amber, lapis lazuli, jade, amethyst and fine porcelains were utilized and despite being compact, with a maximum size of around 3 inches, detailed landscapes and scenes were a common decorative feature.

 

Chinese Inside painted glass snuff bottle with ladies in a garden

Chinese Inside painted glass snuff bottle with a gathering of females

 

The refinement of the miniature art eventually included interior painting where the bottles were painted from the inside, with little compromise on the detail and were quite often represented with traditional good luck symbols, especially in the East. As its use became more public, a snuff etiquette ensued, like refining its use to the motion of snuffing with only one hand. The more elegant the manner in which snuff was stored and taken, the higher the social status of the snuffer. It was considered daintier and more elegant and less offensive to neighbors than inhaling smoke from a pipe. I’m convinced the pungent odors of the streets, assailing the nostrils, in those times, were an added incentive for the elites to snort some fragrances from the stylish bottle. During the Qing Dynasty, smoking tobacco was illegal, but snuff was allowed due to its medicinal properties. The snuff bottle was favoured due to its mobility over a snuff box and because it was easily sealed.

 

 

Snuff bottle, blue glass inlaid with coloured stones and pearl, China, 1736-1795.

Snuff bottle, blue glass inlaid with coloured stones and pearl

China, 1736-1795.

 

The Kangxi Emperor ( 1662 – 1722) had a fondness for snuff and as a devoted patron of the arts, established a series of workshops in Beijing to manufacture small, high-quality objects for court use, including snuff bottles. The repertoire of materials, bottle shapes and motifs dramatically expanded under his imperial patronage. White cranes, cicadas, hares, dragons, peaches, bats and sages are some of the prestigious symbols that were presented in meticulous detail.

During the mid-nineteenth century in China, snuff bottles had become mandatory items of apparel for Chinese gentlemen and those who aspired to status. During the reign of the Qianlong Emperor (1736 – 1795) (who admired the artfulness of these exquisite receptacles}, the production of the snuff bottles was further supported by the artists of the Qianlong court, which lifted their aesthetic to even higher levels. As an accessory, the snuff bottle held sway for around 300 years, then drifted into obscurity and was replaced by the introduction of cigarettes and wrist watches as items of style.

 

 

Porcelain Snuff bottle with figures in a landscape from Asian Art Museum Online Collection

Porcelain Snuff bottle with figures in landscape

Asian Art Museum Online Collection

 

 

Carved snuff bottle with relief figures

Carved Chinese snuff bottle with relief figures walking in a forest

 

 

19th Century-Chinese Agate Snuff Bottle with boys riding an elephant

Agate Snuff Bottle with overlay of boys riding on an elephant

19th Century, China

 

 

Ceramic snuff bottle with relief dragon

Ceramic snuff bottle with flying dragon motif in relief

 

 

carved Chinese shadow agate snuff bottle, scholar in treed landscape

Carved Chinese shadow agate snuff bottle, scholar reading in a garden

 

 

Inlaid-Art-Glass-Snuff-Bottle with female musician performing

Art Glass Snuff Bottle with pearl and coral inlays, female musician performing

 

 

Amber 'double gourds' snuff bottle-Qing dynasty, Qianlong

Amber ‘double gourds’ snuff bottle-Qing dynasty, Qianlong

 

 

Inside painted Chinese snuff bottle depicting scenes of a General on a Horse and on the reverse a Chinese soothsayer

Seeanfano etsy

 

 

Chinese Glass Snuff bottle in shape of a Foe Dog Seeanfano-etsy

Chinese Glass Snuff bottle in shape of a Foo Dog

Seeanfano-etsy

 

Deer and sacred fruit tree snuff bottle

Deer and sacred fruit tree porcelain snuff bottle

 

Crystalline stone snuff bottle

Crystalline stone snuff bottle

Chineseplus – Etsy

 

 

Amethyst snuff bottle,-Chinese on wooden stand

Amethyst snuff bottle on wooden stand

China

 

 

Elephant-and-Empress snuff bottle

‘Elephant and Empress’ carved snuff bottle

 

 

Chinese lacquered cinnabar snuff bottle depicting flying Guan Yin to each side. Holds Qianlong (1736-1795)

Chinese lacquered cinnabar snuff bottle depicting flying Guan Yin to each side.

Qianlong (1736-1795)

 

 

An ivory carved snuff bottle, 1820-1880.

An ivory relief carved snuff bottle, boat on lotus lake, horse, pagoda and figures

1820-1880.

 

 

Antique Old Chinese Peking Glass Carved Snuff Bottle ~ monkey ridding on horse

Antique Chinese Peking Glass Carved Snuff Bottle ~ monkey ridding on horse

 

 

Porcelain snuff bottle with lake willows,-1820-1860

Porcelain snuff bottle with lake willows

1820-1860

 

 

Attractive overlay Snuff Bottle with Vanquisher of Ghosts Zhong Kui

Overlay Snuff Bottle with Zhong Kui (Vanquisher of Ghosts)

 

 

French-snuff-bottle with rural scene

French snuff bottle with rural scene

 

 Rabbit and Radish Carved Peking Overlay Glass Snuff Bottle.

 Rabbit & Radish carved Peking Overlay Glass Snuff Bottle.

 

 

carved and molded porcelain 'Landscape' snuff bottle, signed Chen Guozhi, Qing dynasty, 19th century

Carved and molded porcelain ‘Landscape’ snuff bottle, signed Chen Guozhi

Qing dynasty, 19th century

 

 

Carved coral snuff bottle Coral melon-shaped children Bandai snuff bottles Republic Period Republic of China photo courtesy Bonhams

Carved coral melon shape snuff bottle

Republic Period Republic of China photo courtesy Bonhams

 

Carved ivory-Snuff Bottle with relief figures

Carved ivory Snuff Bottle with relief figures

 

 

China, Snuff Bottle, coral-turquoise, c. 19th century

Chinese Snuff Bottle, coral stopper, turquoise body

c. 19th century

 

 

Relief Carved Opal Snuff Bottle

Relief Carved Opal Snuff Bottle with pagoda and female figure

 

 

China-Botella-Cloisonné-snuff

Chinese botanical Cloisonné snuff bottle

 

 

Chinese-Bone & Coral Snuff Bottle sgae with boy

Chinese Bone & Coral inlay snuff bottle

 

 

Chinese Carved Amber Snuff Bottle

Carved Amber Snuff Bottle

 

Carved Jadeite Snuff Bottle with carp

Carved Jadeite Snuff Bottle

 

Chinese-carved green malachite gourd formed snuff bottle

Carved green malachite gourd form snuff bottle

 

Chinese Carved Peking Glass Snuff Bottle, Goldfish, Lotus, Frogs

Chinese Carved glass snuff bottle, Goldfish, Lotus, Frogs

 

Imperial Chinese overlay Peking Glass Snuff bottle,Qianlong period

Imperial Chinese overlay Peking Glass snuff bottle

Qianlong period

 

 

Chinese Inside Painted Snuff Bottle with roaming cat

Chinese Inside Painted Snuff Bottle with roaming cat

 

 

Chinese Lac Burgaute Snuff Bottle Qing Dynasty with seated figure

Chinese Lac Burgaute Snuff Bottle

Qing Dynasty

 

 

Chinese-Lapis-lazuli-snuff Bottle

Lapis lazuli snuff Bottle, China

 

 

Chinese mother-of-pearl snuff bottle Late 19th century. Mother-of-pearl with floral designs

Chinese mother-of-pearl snuff bottle Late 19th century with floral motif

 

 

Old Porcelain Snuff Bottle with Bird and Flower

Old Porcelain Snuff Bottle with Bird and Flower

 

 

Chinese Peking Glass Snuff Bottle---Butterfly

Chinese Peking Glass butterflies snuff bottle

 

 

Chinese Peking Glass Snuff Bottle--Having overlay depicting dragon with body that wraps around vessel,

Chinese Peking Glass Snuff Bottle–with dragon overlays

 

 

Chinese Porcelain Snuff Bottle and Stopper,in pink and white

Chinese Porcelain Snuff Bottle with white crane and persimmon overlay

 

 

 

Chinese snuff bottle, Qing Dynasty; 1796-1850; white porcelain with moulded decoration. V & A

Chinese snuff bottle,  white porcelain with molded figures decoration.

Qing Dynasty; 1796-1850 — V & A

 

Porcelain snuff bottle, in the- form of a lioness;-painted,-Qing Dynasty, China;-1796-1860

Hand painted porcelain snuff bottle, in the form of a lioness

Qing Dynasty, China; 1796-1860

 

 

Turquoise-blue overlay ruby-red glass 'flowering orchids' snuff bottle--Yangzhou, Qing dynasty, 19th century

Turquoise-blue overlay ruby-red glass ‘flowering orchids’ snuff bottle

Yangzhou, Qing dynasty, 19th century

 

 

Chinese-blue snuff-bottle - man rowing boat on lake

Chinese blue snuff bottle

 

 

cloisonné enamel scent bottle Meiji period (late 19th century), signed Kyoto Namikawa (workshop of Namikawa Yasuyuki; 1845-1927)

Cloisonné phoenix enamel scent bottle

Meiji period (late 19th century), signed Kyoto Namikawa (workshop of Namikawa Yasuyuki; 1845-1927)

 

 

 

Carved Coral snuff bottle with horse motif

Carved Coral snuff bottle with horse motif

 

 

Chinese-Red Coral Damo Bodhidharma Dharma Buddha snuff bottle

Chinese Red Coral Damo Bodhidharma Buddha snuff bottle

 

 

Carved overlay dragon snuff bottle in blue and white

Carved overlay dragon snuff bottle

 

 

Snuff Bottle (Biyanhu) with Landscape China, early 20th century. Carved ivory with polychrome tinted decoration, carved bone stopper.LACMA

Snuff Bottle (Biyanhu) with Landscape  Carved ivory with polychrome tinted decoration, carved bone stopper.

China, early 20th century — LACMA

 

 

embellished-glass-snuff-bottle--qing-dynasty,-1780-1900-Tsuda-family,-kyoto,-japan,-1890-1941

Embellished glass snuff bottle-Qing Dynasty, 1780-1900

Tsuda family, Kyoto, Japan, 1890-1941

 

 

Victorian Satin Perfume Scent Bottle with Japanese style gilt decoration

Victorian Satin Scent Bottle with Japanese style gilt decoration

 

 

fine-red-painted-wood-snuff-bottle-with-stone-inlays

Red painted wood snuff bottle with stone figure inlays

 

 

Chinese porcelain snuff bottle with fish design

Chinese porcelain snuff bottle with fish motif

 

 

White dragon snuff bottle with orange stopper

White dragon relief snuff bottle

 

Hare motif carved wood snuff bottle

Hare motif wooden snuff bottle

 

 

Ivory-'buddhist-lions'-snuff-bottle--imperial-master,-japan,-late-19th

Ivory-‘buddhist lions’ snuff bottle–Imperial Master

Japan, late 19th century

 

 

Ivory carved-Japanese snuff bottle,-Kyoto,-1920-1950

Ivory carved Japanese snuff bottle

Kyoto, 1920-1950

 

Jadeite floral motif Snuff-Bottle

Jadeite lotus motif Snuff Bottle

 

 

Jade snuff bottle with birds, flowers and leaves

Carved jade snuff bottle with birds, flowers and leaves

 

 

Kuan Yin snuff bottle, white overlay on crimson red

Kuan Yin snuff bottle, white overlay on crimson red

 

 

Kung Fu Warrior porcelain snuff-bottle

Kung Fu Warrior porcelain snuff-bottle

 

 

Lac Burgauté cicada snuff bottle Japan, late 19th---early 20th-century

Lac Burgauté cicada snuff bottle

Japan, late 19th—early 20th century

 

Snuff bottle-late Qing dynasty,-1800-1911

 

Snuff bottle – late Qing dynasty, 1800-1911

 

 

Carved Lapis-lasuli-Snuff-bottle--China

Carved playful children Lapis lasuli Snuff bottle

China

 

 

Late-Qing--Period-Four-Pcs-of-Antique-Glazed-Porcelain-Snuff-Bottle

Qing Glazed Porcelain Snuff Bottle

 

 

Moulded famille-rose porcelain 'precious objects' snuff bottle seal mark and period of qianlong

Moulded famille-rose porcelain ‘precious objects’ snuff bottle seal mark and period of Qianlong

 

 

Beijing-Hand Painted Glass Snuff Bottle with dragon motif

Hand Painted Glass Snuff Bottle with overlay dragon motif

 

 

Opal-black snuff bottle

Black opal snuff bottle with fish motif

 

Green Dragonfly' glass Snuff Bottle

Green Dragonfly’ glass Snuff Bottle

 

 

Light blue overlay 'Katydid' Snuff Bottle

Light blue overlay ‘Katydid’ Snuff Bottle

 

 

Qing-dynasty-Coral Buddha head snuff bottle

 Red oral Buddha head snuff bottle

Qing dynasty

 

 

Carved red-coral dragon snuff bottle

Carved red-coral animated dragon snuff bottle ( Biyanhu )

 

 

Sandwiched' blue and biotite and milky-white glass 'mallow' snuff bottle qing dynasty, mid-18th -19th century

Sandwiched’ blue, biotite and milky-white glass ‘mallow’ snuff bottle

Qing dynasty, mid 18th -19th century

 

 

Deep Red Peking Glass Carved Snuff Bottle - Fish & Lotus

Red Peking Glass Carved Snuff Bottle – Fish & Lotus

 

 

Snuff Bottle (Biyanhu) with Lao Zu riding a Water Buffalo, China, Late Qing dynasty, about 1800-1911

Ceramic snuff bottle (Biyanhu) with Lao Zu riding a Water Buffalo

China, Late Qing dynasty, about 1800-1911

 

Snuff Bottle (Biyanhu) with Maidens in a Landscape, China, late Qing dynasty, about 1800-1911,

Snuff Bottle (Biyanhu) with Maidens in a Landscape with pines

China, late Qing dynasty, about 1800-1911,

 

Snuff Bottle (Biyanhu) with Landscape China, Chinese, late Qing dynasty, Guangxu period, 1874-1908

Porcelain Snuff Bottle with Landscape

Chinese, late Qing dynasty, Guangxu period, 1874-1908

 

 

Snuff Bottle (Biyanhu) with Two Boys, China, Late Qing dynasty, about 1800-1911, Molded soft-paste porcelain with overglaze enamel and gilt decoration

Snuff Bottle (Biyanhu) with Two Boys, Molded soft-paste porcelain with overglaze enamel and gilt decoration

China, Late Qing dynasty, about 1800-1911,

 

Snuff-Bottle-with-pearl inlays

Snuff Bottle with pearl inlays

 

 

Ivory Snuff Bottle, China, late 19th century, carved as a melon borne on leafy tendril, with a bee to the surface,

Ivory Snuff Bottle, carved as a melon borne on leafy tendril, with a bee to the surface

China, late 19th century

 

 

Ivory Snuff Bottle,-China,-20th-century,-carved butterflies and insects in relief

Ivory Snuff Bottle,carved butterflies and insects in relief

China, 20th century

 

White Overlay Blue Peking Glass 'Crane' Snuff Bottle

White Overlay Blue Peking Glass ‘Crane’ Snuff Bottle

 

 

Chinese jade snuff bottle

Abstract jade snuff bottle

 

 

 

Claudia Frignani Milano designer

 

Claudia-Frignani-ceramic-vase with fine ribs

Claudia Frignani, Wunderkammer Studio

 

Milan has been a mecca for talented multi genre design artists such as Piero Fornasetti, Ettore Sottsass and Gio Ponti who were also great ceramicists. The Milano Wunderkammer Studio and Claudia Frignani are continuing this fine tradtion of innovative style and design.
Claudia Frignani founded her ‘Wunderkammer design studio’ in 1993 with her two brothers Nikola and Mattia with the objective of designing and producing unique pieces in limited editions, with particular attention paid to using a diversity of materials, shapes and techniques. She explored her sculptural forms through a variety of materials including metals, castings, concrete, wood, leather and textiles which has led to her current focus in exploring the ceramic arts.

 

Website

 

Claudia-Frignani-ceramic-sculpture with raised scalloped surface

Claudia Frignani Artemisia vase

 

“The vase became a pretext for the approach of modifying an iconic object of everyday use, and transforming it, making it attractive, filling it with meaning, using it as a surface on which to construct my fluid three dimensional textures which for me is very stimulating. I have always been attracted to concave forms, as they appear to conceal, contain and protect and also support scalloped patterns which convey a natural cohesiveness.”
Claudia favours the colombino technique for her immpeccably crafted terracotta pieces, which start with a base of a certain thickness and have colombini  (clay elongated cylindrical shapes)  laid one above the other rising from the base. Her pots are completely hand made without any two pieces being identical. This method allows for the possibility of overlapping strips to elevate the texture.

 

 

ceramic vases by Claudia Frignani

Wunderkammer Studio vases

 

“I take ideas from my imagination, that has been infused with many memories captured during my time spent in contact with nature: observing, meditating, discovering, gathering and collecting precious finds. Then I rework things, I change them in my own personal pursuit of beauty.”
“It is research, a journey into the unconscious, the memory, and into the future. There is a part of me in everything I make. To bring a thought to light through the hands, and to translate it into something concrete that did not exist before, means giving form to an emotion. It makes me happy when someone who looks at or purchases one of my pieces discovers that emotion, and feels it.”

 

 

 

Wunderkammer Studio---aluminium table and chairs

Wunderkammer Studio—aluminium table and chairs

 

 

Claudia Frignani-ribbed vases created with colombino technique

Claudia Frignani – three ribbed vases created with the colombino technique

 

 

Claudia Frignani-Milaono ceramic-vases photo Nicola Frignani

Claudia Frignani – Milano ceramic vases photo Nicola Frignani

 

 

Claudia Frignani ceramic flowerpots-2016---Milan white, teal and turquoise

Claudia Frignani ceramic flowerpots and a lidded jar

2016—Milan

 

 

Orange ceramic vase-Claudia Frignani

Orange ceramic hand built vase – Claudia Frignani

 

 

Ceramic vase--Artemisia collection-n--Claudia Frignani for Wunderkammer Studio

Ceramic vase — ‘Artemisia 6′  by Claudia Frignani for Wunderkammer Studio

Fired at two different temperatures to enhance its textured look, this impeccably handcrafted vase has s striking raised fish scale pattern and the unusual shape of the piece, featuring a curved rim.

Artmest

 

Claudia Frignani vases and Nicola Frignan rhino sculpture

Claudia Frignani vases and Nicola Frignani rhino sculpture

 

 

Two white colored vases with vertical ribs by Claudia Frignani

Claudia Frignani vases

 

 

Claudia Frignani mid shot

Claudia Frignani

 

 

Claudia-Frignani vases by Wunderkammer Studio,-Milano

Claudia Frignani vases on ‘Shell Structure Table’

 

 

Frida No 4 vase ---Claudia Frignani for Wunderkammer Studio

‘Frida No 4’ —Claudia Frignani for Wunderkammer Studio

 

 

Claudia Frignani-leaf dish by Wunderkammer Studio

Wunderkammer Studio aluminium leaf dish

 

 

Green Ceramic vase-2012-Claudia Frignani, Milano

Claudia Frignani

 

 

 

Chair by Wunderkammer Studio -- leather with metal frame

Chair by Wunderkammer Studio

 

 

FRIDA-No6 vase----Claudia Frignani by Wunderkammer Studio

‘FRIDA No6’ vase by Wunderkammer Studio, Claudia Frignani design

Inspired by a deep connection to the culture, history, and traditions of Italy, this elegant piece is completely handcrafted. This unique vase in light blue glazed terracotta features a simple pattern of scalloped vertical stripes that will add a chic allure to a casual decor.

 

 

Claudia Frignani by Wunderkammer Studio chair, Milan

Wunderkammer Studio chair, Milan

 

 

Claudia Frignani white textured vase

Claudia Frignani white ‘Lefka 10’  hand built textured vase

Milan Design Week

 

Claudia Frignani vases for Wunderkammer-Studio

Claudia Frignani vases for Wunderkammer Studio

 

 

Claudia Frignani vases for Wunderkammer-Studio

Claudia Frignani coil built vases for Wunderkammer Studio

 

 

Green-ceramic-vase-Claudia Fragnini

Green ceramic scalloped vase – Claudia Fragnini

 

 

FRIDA No5----Claudia Frignan by Wunderkammer Studio

‘FRIDA No5’ —-Claudia Frignan by Wunderkammer Studio

 

Wunderkaer Studio Isetan table-- wood and brass casting legs

‘Gold Ishtar’ tripod table– wood and brass casting legs

 

 

LEFKA No7---Claudia Frignani for Wunderkammer Studio

‘LEFKA No7’ — Claudia Frignani for Wunderkammer Studio

 

 

LEFKA No8----Claudia Frignani by-Wunderkammer Studio

‘LEFKA No8’—-Claudia Frignani

Made using the colombino method and glazed using a two-step firing process to add a striking glossy white finish, the decoration features three bands of overlapping oval strips that move diagonally to wrap the body of the vase.

 

Claudia Frignani turquoise lidded jar

 

 

‘Java Oak Cabinet’,  by Claudia Frignani for NB Milano

 

 

Wunderkammer Studio, Milan

Wunderkammer Studio

 

Claudia Frignani

 

 

Claudia Frignani Artemisia 7 vase patio decor

Claudia Frignani Artemisia 7 vase

30cm

 

 

Vase--Claudia Frignani -- Wunderkammer Studio

Vase–Claudia Frignani

 

 

Claudia Frignani vases

Claudia Frignani

 

 

Wunderkammer Studio ‘Isetan’ table

 

 

 

Wunderkammer-studio-Claudia-Frignani coil built vases

Colombino built vases — Claudia Frignani

 

 

Pink vase Claudia-Frignani

Claudia Frignani

 

 

 

Argo Cast metal tripod stool

‘Argo’ aluminium tripod stool – Claudia Frignani for NB Milano

 

 

 

Ceramic-vases-2015-2016--Claudia Frignani, Milano

Ceramic-vases-Claudia Frignani, Milano

2015-2016

 

\

Claudia Frignani--metal-table with glass inserts

Wunderkammer Studio metal table

 

 

WK-Studio-Wunderkammer Studio, Milan

WK Studio

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shadows in Smoke: Shamai Sam Gibsh ceramics

 

 

Shamai Sam Gibsh-Israeli-ceramics

Shamai Sam Gibsh

 

 

‘Shadows in Smoke’ exhibition –

Plinth Gallery, Colorado  —  3rd August to 29th September

 

The richly-colored clays that ceramicist Shamai Sam Gibsh uses are usually collected from across Israel and around the world. For his earthy tones, no colors are added to the clay — these are their natural colors. Textures and patterns are often made with pine needles and other elements from Israel’s landscape. He is inspired by the diversity of geographies in Israel ranging from the deserts in the South to the snow-capped mountains in the North.
Gibsh sometimes creates with a contemporary studio pottery technique called terra sigillata, which was developed from a tradition of ancient potters in Greece prior to the use of glaze. Roughly translated as ‘sealed earth,’ the popular meaning is ‘clay bearing little images.’ The variety of clays and the firing process result in the appearance of extraordinary landscapes infused with smoky effects. Gibsh is a renowned Israeli ceramicist whose work is exhibited and sold internationally, including in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. He creates his pieces from his studio in Jaffa, Israel.

 

Shamai Sam Gibsh website

 

 

 

Shadows in Smoke exhibition in Colorado 2018

 

 

 

Rectangular wall panel Shamai Sam Gibsh

Rectangular wall panel — Shamai Sam Gibsh

 

 

Shamai Sam Gibsh-abstract-ceramic sculptural sphere

Shamai Sam Gibsh

Plinth Gallery exhibition August 2018

 

Blue luster sphere Shamai Sam Gibsh

Blue abstract sphere —  Shamai Sam Gibsh

Pigment Luster reduction firing

 

Shamai Sam Gibsh - Lidded ceramic jar - earth tones

Shamai Sam Gibsh – Lidded ceramic jar

 

 

Shamai-Sam-Gibsh-Panel #2 Ceramic-panel-Terra-Sigillata,-Reduction-smoke-firing

Shamai Sam Gibsh – ‘Panel #2′

Terra Sigillata, Reduction smoke firing

 

 

Shamai Sam Gibsh-ceramic sculpture Birds on a steep slope

Shamai Sam Gibsh – ceramic sculpture ‘Birds on a steep slope’

 

 

Naked female tile panel   —  Shamai Sam Gibsh

Plinth Gallery exhibition August 2018

 

Shamai Sam Gibsh-abstract ceramic panel

Shamai Sam Gibsh-abstract ceramic panel

Terra Sigillata, Reduction smoke firing

 

 

tiled wall art - Shamai Sam Gibsh

Smoke fired tile wall art – Shamai Sam Gibsh

 

,

‘New bird on a steep slope #1’  —  Shamai Sam Gibsh

Terra Sigillata, Reduction smoke firing. Exhibit Plinth Gallery August 2018

 

 

Shamai-Sam-Gibsh-ceramic sculpture

 Shamai Sam Gibsh

Terra sigillata Gas wood reduction.

 

 

Shamai Sam Gibsh-She- Terra sigillata, smoke firing

Shamai Sam Gibsh  – ‘She’ – Terra sigillata, smoke firing

 

 

Shamai Sam Gibsh -- Bodyblaze

Shamai Sam Gibsh — ‘Bodyblaze #11′ ceramic sculpture

Cluj Ceramic Biennale – Won a prize, 2017

 

 

Shamai Sam Gibsh-tile art mural-She- Terra sigillata, smoke firing

Shamai Sam Gibsh-tile art mural

Terra sigillata, smoke firing

 

Ganish-#1 - Shamia Sam Gibsh

‘Ganish #1’ – Shamia Sam Gibsh, 2018

Pigment Luster, Reduction firing. Plinth Gallery exhibition August 2018

 

 

Lidded- naked raku bottle---Shamai Sam Gibsh

Lidded naked raku bottle — Shamai Sam Gibsh

 

Shamai Sam Gibsh-ceramic Bodyblaze-Exhibition

Shamai Sam Gibsh Bodyblaze Exhibition

 

 

Plate Terra Sigillata-smoke-fired-Shamai Sam Gbsh

Terra Sigillata plate, smoke fired —  Shamai Sam Gbsh

 

 

Shamai Sam Gibsh ceramic bowl

Shamai Sam Gibsh ceramic bowl

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pixel emoji and juicy tomatos: Lucinda Mudge — Tom Edwards

 

Two ceramicists that use imaginative, evocative images and text to deliver poignant narratives to their decorative language. And the delightful minimalist black line images on earthenware by Louise Madzia, filled with subtle humor. 

 

 

Lucinda Mudge, ZA

 

Lucinda Mudge – ‘Jungle Killers Alive’  

Inspired by the overly dramatized poster art from old fashioned circus shows.

 

 

Baluster guilty vase Lucinda Mudge

‘If you are feeling guilty you probably are’  baluster vase — Lucinda Mudge

 

 

If you were a vase, what imagery and text would you choose for your surface?*

Gold fingernails, fancy sunglasses with tiger stripes and an ornately patterned floral outfit with gold monkeys from head to toe. I’d have glistening rubies in my big smiling teeth and the text would read: ‘repent, repent, repent’.

“I use humor, irony and mockery as a way of asking authentic questions. The work then opens up to operate on two levels, because it’s sometimes unclear to the viewer as to whether it’s serious or not. I don’t think artists in general need to use humor, but it is part of who I am and this comes through in my work. I am interested in the human spirit – the good times and the bad – so my vases reflect that. They are glitzy, gold and beautiful, but there is a heaviness there too.”

“I have been fascinated by ceramics from childhood. It’s the transformation that the clay undergoes, changing from floppy to rigid and glass-like. The beauty of a ceramic canvas that is round is that the story will link up and repeat. My vases are canvases that tell stories and I use this as a reference to the human condition – the idea that we are on repeat. Secondly, with a vase, it is not possible to see the whole picture at once. The image on the back will always be hidden, but we know it is there. This is a reference to the way that we live – what we choose not to see even though we know it’s there. Some of my vases are built with this in mind – there are two different sides to the vase and only one is visible at any one time. If you don’t like the message, you can turn it to face the wall. I engage with that.”

 

Lucinda mudge, ‘wake me up when it’s all over’, 2016 ceramic, gold lustre,

Height 21 58 in. (55 cm)

 

“Building a ceramic vase is a technically difficult operation, and one that I still struggle with. It’s similar to spending three weeks stretching a canvas and two weeks mixing paints, and all the time I’m thinking, thinking. It’s also very demanding – if I do one thing wrong, the vase will fail. Then, thrown against this is my personality – I can’t make test tiles, I just don’t have it in me; I can’t measure the amount of stain in milligrams, it’s too boring. It makes me rebel against it all, be free, not care. I think it may be these two elements combined that give my work a sort of edge.”

 

‘Humanity i love you’ — Lucinda Mudge

 

 

Hybrid pixel weave vases

 

Everard Read / ‘CIRCA’ Cape Town presents Lucinda Mudge Pixel Vases as a feature exhibition in our Winter show. This includes a collection of fourteen ceramic vases and one bronze inspired by traditional South African Zulu baskets with 8-bit pixel art images referencing the arrival of the internet in rural areas.

Ulundi House, Portswood Square, Portswood Ridge, V & A Waterfront — running till 15th July

 

Lucinda Mudge Pixel vase Height 22inches

Lucinda Mudge Pixel vase

Height 22 inches

 

 

Lucinda Mudge - ceramic Pikachu Pixel Vase-2017

Lucinda Mudge ‘Pikachu’ Pixel Vase

2017

 

Lucinda Mudge Gold Dollar Sign Pixel Vase-22 inches

Lucinda Mudge ‘Gold Dollar Sign’ Pixel Vase-22 inches

 

Lucinda-Mudge-in-South-African-studio with her pottery

Lucinda Mudge, Sth. African studio

 

Lucinda Mudge Hi-Pixel Vase

Lucinda Mudge ‘Hi’ Pixel Vase

 

 

Lucinda Mudge Hi Pixel Vase collection-2017

Lucinda Mudge ‘Hi’ Pixel Vase collection

2017

 

 

Lucinda Mudge Miffy Pixel Vase--2017 White pixel bunny motif

Lucinda Mudge ‘Miffy’ Pixel Vase–2017

 

Lucinda Mudge-Wow Pixel Vase

Lucinda Mudge – ‘Wow’ Pixel Vase

 

 

Take what you want-ceramics exhibition by Lucinda Mudge,--at-Knysna Fine Art

‘Take what you want’ – ceramics exhibition – Lucinda Mudge

Knysna Fine Art, 2015

 

Lucinda-Mudge South African pottery

Floral skulls – Lucinda Mudge, Sth. Africa

 

 

Click! ??? ceramic vase---Lucinda Mudge

‘Click! ???’ ceramic vase — Lucinda Mudge

 

 

filthy stinking rich vase Lucinda-Mudge-Oh How Glorious to be Filthy Stinking Rich-56cm-High

‘Filthy stinking rich’ vase Lucinda Mudge

56cm High

 

Forget Me Not, ceramic, vase-h-56cm-by Lucinda Mudge

‘Forget Me Not’, ceramic, vase by Lucinda Mudge

My mermaids are inspired by their popular choice of imagery in the past for tattoos, this one is from an actual tattoo.

56cm height

 

 

I told you not to call me baby-Vase-lucinda-mudge-lavenders-blue

‘I told you not to call me baby’  vase Lucinda Mudge

 

Lucinda Mudge, and I can’t control my mind-(after-catteau)

Lucinda Mudge, ‘and I can’t control my mind (after catteau)’

2016 — 24 3/8 inches

Referencing French ceramicist Charles Catteau

 

Lucinda Mudge, baby let`s start living dangerously, 2016 21-5/ 8inches

Lucinda Mudge, ‘baby let`s start living dangerously’

2016  —  21 5/8 inches

 

 

Lucinda Mudge, -- kill you eat you,-2016---22 inches

Lucinda Mudge, — ‘kill you eat you’ series

2016—22 inches

 

 

Lucinda Mudge,-one of us- is lying,-2016-25

Lucinda Mudge,- ‘one of us is lying’

2016 – 25inches

 

 

Lucinda-Mudge-After-Catteau’-from-the-Kill-You-Eat-You-collection

Lucinda Mudge  ‘After Catteau’

Referencing Art Deco French ceramicist Charles Catteau

 

 

My African Dream-2014-Lucinda Mudge gazelle vase

‘My African Dream’  —  Lucinda Mudge

2014

 

 

Take heed of the light within Lucinda Mudge deep turquoise vase

‘Take heed of the light within’  –  Lucinda Mudg

2016

 

 

Tom Edwards, USA

 

Tom Edwards began doing pot jokes back in 1984. Here’s how his Wally musings all evolved:

“A friend of mine was in med school and she had a delirious patient who kept talking about Nappy. After a week or so, she realized that the patient was talking about a dog…I made this weird little plate to commemorate the incident and I really liked the way it looked. I was compelled to make more pots like this. I got the name ‘Wally’ from these British guys I worked with, it’s slang for ‘nerd’. One day I started drawing these really simple Wally jokes on the pots just for my own amusement. When I took them to a craft fair, the response was incredible. Within a month, I had an order for a complete dinnerware set and people were asking for more Wally adventures.”

 

Wallyware tomato mug

Wallyware tomato pot

 

Tom-Edwards-Wallyware-old age mug

Tom Edwards – Wallyware-old age mug

 

 

Wally pots mug

Wally pots mug

 

Tom Edwards holy guacamole bowl

Tom Edwards ‘Holy Guacamole’ bowl

 

 

 

kiln meditation - Tom Edwards

Tom Edwards Zen kiln

 

 

Wally Ware drinking mug

Tomato mug

 

 

wally ware ripneing process mug

Ripening tomato mug

 

Celebrity tomato mug

Reverse side of above ripeneing mug

 

Message mug - the truth is out there - Wallywares

‘The truth is out there’ – Wallyware

 

 

tomato wally pots

Wally Pots

 

Tomato pots

Tomato mug

 

 

Two tomato mugs

Screaming tomato mugs

 

 

Tom Edwards farting unicorn mug

‘Farting unicorn mug’  –  Tom Edwards

 

 

Elon Musk power generation plate

 

 

tomato message mug Tom Edwarda

Wallyware mug

 

spider tomato mug

Tomato mug – Tom Edwards

 

 

WallyWare-Too-Sexy vase

‘I’m too sexy for my clay’ – Tom Edwards

 

 

 

  Louise Madzia, UK

 

“The way I work is a reflection on how I see things. That sense of playfulness is what I’m striving for, it’s like a comic relief. If I laugh at a drawing I’m working on I know I should pursue it and when I show the pots to friends and it’s great to get that reaction.  I’ve just always been drawn to figurative sculpture and paintings. My earliest inspirations were really classic figurative artists like Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Edvard Munch, Emil Nolde and Picasso. It feels natural to draw this way and I think it suits the shapes that I work in.”

Excellent “shelfie ware” from Louise Madzia, made individually, slab built, earthenware pots, hand painted with a clear glaze.

 

Louise Madzia Instagram

 

 

Form-Louise Madzia-Wavy Girl Ceramic Planter

Louise Madzia – ‘Wavy Girl’ pot with succulents

 

Louise-Madzia-playful minimalist art planters

Louise Madzia playful planter ensemble –  ‘Toosh’ (left)

 

Louise_Madzia line drawn pot decoration

Louise Madzia planter ‘Social Smoker’ minimalist, line drawn pot decoration

 

 

Louise Madzia earthenware pots

Louise Madzia – three cylindrical earthenware pots

 

Pottery ensemble -- Louise Madzia

Louise Madzia pottery ensemble

 

Louise Madzia naked ceramic vessels

Louise Madzia naked torso vessels ensemble

 

 

Slab built pots - Louise Madzia

Louise Madzia planters – ‘Encircle’ (centre)

 

 

Louise-Madzia black line drawn porcelain decoration

Louise Madzia figurative slab built pottery

 

 

Louise Madzia-cylindrical pot--The man with all the eyes

Louise Madzia –‘The man with all the eyes’

 

 

Louise Madzia planter with tropical plant

Planter –  Louise Madzia

 

 

Lucinda Mudge photo

Louise Madzia

 

 

Louise-Madzia---ceramic mug stack

Louise Madzia mugs

 

 

 3,700-year-old piece of ceramic jug

A  3,700-year-old  ceramic vessel with a smiley emoji face.

Turco-Italian Archaeological Expedition at Karkemis, the ancient capital of Syria