1960s Early Ceramic Vase with Glaze by Brother Thomas Bezanson

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An early ceramic vase in a slightly tapered cylinder form by potter Brother Thomas Bezanson (1929-2007). The minimalistic silouette is … Read more An early ceramic vase in a slightly tapered cylinder form by potter Brother Thomas Bezanson (1929-2007). The minimalistic silouette is strikingly primordial with its wider mouth rim in the perfect circle, bringing to mind the Chinese neolithic Jade form Cong and Bi respectively. What is really extraordinary about this piece is the complex glaze Bezanson applied on the surface. On a brown iridescent background, there are two "rings" with "Honan tenmoku" glaze, each with a brilliant mixture of saturation by changing the iron content. The top portion is largely a very thick and oily "black olive" glaze, which is highly saturated, except for a lighter circle (less iron-saturated) at the rim that serves as a visually demarcating effect. In the midbody, a lighter tenmoku glaze and a darker base with a "hair fur" effect was applied in an irregular form, perhaps mimicking the mountain ranges in traditional Chinese ink painting. These tenmoku colors contrast beautifully with the metallic brown background. The whole effect is harmonious, rooted in Asian ceramic tradition but utterly modern looking. The vase was marked on the base with the potter's decipher as shown. This vase was made in Weston VT circa 1965-1070. It showcases the highly sophisticated glaze techniques Bezanson mastered and used fluidly in his ceramic work. See less