Mid Century Brutalist Studio Pottery Sculpture | Wpa Influence | Male Female Figural Relief | Blue Black Ceramic

Details

Description

Striking vintage studio pottery sculpture with a strong Mid-Century Modern, Brutalist and WPA-era figurative influence. The substantial circular form is … Read more Striking vintage studio pottery sculpture with a strong Mid-Century Modern, Brutalist and WPA-era figurative influence. The substantial circular form is sculpted in relief on both sides—one side depicting a woman and the opposite side depicting a man—essentially creating two works of art in one.

The figures have the strong, simplified anatomy and monumental quality associated with WPA-era American figurative art of the 1930s and 1940s, while the heavily worked ceramic surface and abstracted forms give the piece a distinctly postwar studio-pottery character. The rounded, medallion-like body and integrated pedestal base also lend it the feeling of an ancient carved artifact interpreted through a modernist lens.

The ceramic surface is particularly compelling. Deep gouging, stippling and irregular hand-worked texture give the clay the appearance of weathered bronze or cast iron. A rich deep blue glaze appears around the perimeter, sides and recessed areas, while much of the figural surface is left dark and more matte, emphasizing the carved relief and sculptural texture.

The combination of WPA-inspired figuration, primitive modernism, Brutalist texture and Mid-Century studio pottery makes this an unusually dramatic piece from every angle.

No artist’s signature has been located. The work is reminiscent of the sculptural ceramics of Helena Agustí Maragall, but because it is unsigned, it is not being attributed to the artist.

Details

* Vintage studio pottery sculpture
* Mid-Century Modern / Brutalist style
* WPA-era figurative influence
* Double-sided design: woman on one side, man on the other
* Hand-carved bas-relief figures
* Heavily textured ceramic / stoneware
* Deep blue glazed areas with dark matte surfaces
* Integrated sculptural pedestal
* Unsigned
* Approximately 17” H × 15” W × 5” D
* No chips, cracks or other damage noted

A substantial and unusual piece of figurative studio pottery that can be displayed from either side, with wonderful presence as a freestanding sculpture. See less