Vintage Japanese Modernist Slab Built Reddish Clay Ikebana Vessel, Signed

Details

Description

Japanese Modernist Slab-Built Ikebana Vessel

Signed | Mid-20th Century

This striking low-profile vessel exemplifies the bold experimentation of postwar Japanese … Read more Japanese Modernist Slab-Built Ikebana Vessel

Signed | Mid-20th Century

This striking low-profile vessel exemplifies the bold experimentation of postwar Japanese studio pottery. Constructed using the slab-building technique, the piece features a distinctive organic form with an irregular rim accentuated by spontaneous drip glazing. The reddish clay body remains partially exposed, creating a dynamic contrast with the glaze's fluid patterns. Signed by the artist on the base, this work bridges traditional Japanese ceramic values with modernist expression.

Key Details

The vessel's horizontal orientation and shallow depth (4.5"H) represent a deliberate departure from conventional ikebana forms, offering contemporary floral arrangement possibilities. The controlled drip glaze application demonstrates the artist's mastery of fluid decoration techniques while maintaining structural integrity.

Provenance

Acquired from a private Japanese collection assembled during two decades of residence in Japan (1960s-80s), with works sourced directly from artist studios and gallery exhibitions in Kyoto and Tokyo.

Condition

- Excellent structural integrity

- Glaze intact with minor surface wear

- No cracks or restoration

- Original firing surfaces preserved

Dimensions

10.5"W × 10"D × 4.5"H (26.7 × 25.4 × 11.4 cm)

Historical Context

This piece reflects:

1) The 1960s avant-garde movement in Japanese ceramics

2) Innovative approaches to traditional ikebana vessel design

3) The international influence of Japanese modernist pottery See less