American Studio Ceramic Vase With Cane Wrapping, by F. Carlton Ball

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A refined and sculpturally expressive ceramic vase by California studio ceramicist F. Carlton Ball, signed Carlton on the base. The … Read more A refined and sculpturally expressive ceramic vase by California studio ceramicist F. Carlton Ball, signed Carlton on the base. The silhouette carries a compelling tension: the upper body swells outward in a soft, billowed expansion, then gently draws inward before flaring at the rim, giving the piece a subtly compressed, breath-like form that feels uniquely hand-shaped. This dynamic top contrasts with the more composed, classically grounded lower body, creating a profile that is both architectural and organic.

The surface reveals natural cracking from the build and firing process, a hallmark of true studio craft that underscores the authenticity and material honesty of Ball’s work. Warm, textural cane wrapping completes the piece, adding an elegant counterpoint to the clay’s earthen character.

At 7 inches tall and 7 inches wide with a 3.75-inch opening, this vase offers presence beyond its scale—a highly collectible example of Ball’s California craft legacy, where form, gesture, and material sensitivity come together in a distinctly high-art object. See less