Miniature Burnished Terracotta Studio Pottery Vase by Christine Gittins, 1990

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A flat burnished collar with a mottled, metallic bronze and gold lustre surrounds the circular mouth of this compact studio … Read more A flat burnished collar with a mottled, metallic bronze and gold lustre surrounds the circular mouth of this compact studio pottery vessel. Thrown on the wheel with precise symmetry, the form swells outward into a rounded shoulder before tapering cleanly toward a narrow, flat foot. The contrast between the lustrous, textured metallic rim and the warm terracotta clay underneath creates an eye-catching focal point at the top of the vessel. The exterior body is finished in a smooth, warm terracotta slip with a soft satin sheen rather than a heavy glaze. Subtle darkened shading toward the lower section suggests careful reduction or smoke contact during the firing process, lending tonal variation to the rich ochre-orange surface. The burnished surface remains silky to the touch, reflecting gentle highlights across its curvaceous profile. Turned upside down, the base reveals an impressed circular potter's seal featuring Christine Gittins' intertwined monogram. The vessel measures 8 cm in height and 8 cm across at its widest point, giving it balanced, globular proportions. Its interior is unglazed, pointing to its primary role as a dry display piece or miniature accent vase rather than a functional water container. Produced during the 1990s, this tactile ceramic piece exemplifies British studio pottery of the period, where classic vessel archetypes were explored through refined burnishing and precious metallic treatments. The compact proportions make it well suited to cabinet display, shelves, or grouping alongside other modernist studio ceramics. See less