Vintage Bowl by Horst Kerstan, 2000

Details

Description

A monumental millennium bowl by horst kerstan (1941–2005)

origin: kandern, germany
dated: 2000 (inscribed 'ad mm')
material: agate stoneware (neriage)
… Read more A monumental millennium bowl by horst kerstan (1941–2005)

origin: kandern, germany
dated: 2000 (inscribed 'ad mm')
material: agate stoneware (neriage)
markings: artist’s signet, inscribed 'podg' (pièce originale de grès), 'ad' (anno domini), 'mm' (2000).
dimensions: diameter ± 42cm.

the artist and his legacy

horst kerstan was one of the most influential german ceramicists of the 20th century. Based in his historic studio in kandern, a town with a rich pottery tradition, kerstan bridged the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern abstract art. His work is deeply rooted in the philosophy of the japanese mingei movement, following his friendship with the legendary shoji hamada and tatsuzo shimaoka. Kerstan’s mastery lay in his ability to combine zen-like simplicity with rigorous technical experimentation, making him a central figure in the european studio ceramics movement.

the mastery of neriage technique:

this monumental bowl is a virtuoso display of the neriage (marbled clay) technique. Unlike surface decoration, neriage involves the meticulous layering and kneading of differently colored clays—in this case, earthy ochres, browns, and creams—to create a pattern that permeates the entire body of the ceramic. Achieving such a complex, organic "agate" pattern on a scale of 42 cm is a significant technical feat, as the different shrinkage rates of the clays often lead to cracks during the high-temperature firing.

this piece stands as a testament to kerstan’s absolute control over his medium. I have official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs,
designer records,
or other literature sources and take full responsibility for any authenticity issues arising
from
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