Sculptural Ceramic Ashanti Jar Robert Turner Exhibited

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A glazed stoneware jar with lid by American Ceramist Robert Chapman Turner (1913-2005) entitled "Ashanti". The vessel was made in … Read more A glazed stoneware jar with lid by American Ceramist Robert Chapman Turner (1913-2005) entitled "Ashanti". The vessel was made in 1979 and was in the personal collection of Robert L. Pfannebecker and exhibited in "A Selection of Contemporary American Crafts" at Moore College of Art, Philadelphia in 1980. (see the last two photos for the illustration in a collection catalog).
One of the iconic forms with variations in Turner's repertoire since 1970s, the jar features a robust trunk form with numerous surface patching, protrusions and markings, under an overall black glaze washed with a strong greyish blue tint. The dome-shape lid has a cross-shaped marked handle with additional patches and small markings. The form was inspired by Ashanti culture Turner observed during his trips to Africa. Incised signature "Turner" on the base with long lines as shown.
"In 1971–72, drawn by the power of African sculpture, and wishing to imbue his work with a greater sense of universality, Robert Turner traveled to Nigeria and Ghana. The trip proved transformational. In West Africa he was deeply moved by the way in which art was ingrained in daily experience, and by the beauty of traditional forms of architecture, pottery, ceremonial objects, and decoration. After his return, Turner began to produce series of distinctive vessel types named after African kingdoms and peoples—Ashanti, Ife, Oshogbo, Akan. The first is a squat, lidded pot; the others are cone and cylinder shapes." Smithsonian American Art Museum
Robert Turner's work is in numerous museum collections including the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City. See less