Late 20th Century Studio Ceramic Vase by Brother Thomas Bezanson

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A ceramic vase crafted by Brother Thomas Bezanson (1929-2007) circa 1970s. The vase takes a classic Chinese "Mei Ping" form … Read more A ceramic vase crafted by Brother Thomas Bezanson (1929-2007) circa 1970s. The vase takes a classic Chinese "Mei Ping" form but with a modern silouette. The shoulder is more tapered, the neck is a bit longer and with a completely flat flared mouth rim. The glaze is of a sublime color of Clair-de-lune, a pale blue that resembles the dawning sky lit by the waning rays of the receding moon. The glaze was evidently applied freely, being poured on the vase while it was turning, as a subtle washing effect was left visible. On top of this beautiful glaze, the artist applied a few strokes of lavender-purple glaze, a color he was famous for. The effect was subdued (since the colors are in the same family) but also managed to be dramatically refined. Viewing the vase is like viewing an abstract painting, a meditative and tranquil practice.
The base incised "Benedictine Monks, Weston, Vermont" and with BT's cipher, stamped "190.2", and inked "30/15/15" and "4/1".
Brother Thomas Bezanson (1929-2007) was a Canadian born artist and Benedictine monk primarily known for his porcelain pottery and mastery of complex glazes. Strongly influenced by Asian pottery, often adapting traditional Chinese and Japanese pottery methods and materials to his work. He is renowned for his original glaze recipes and perfect forms and always sought to create something new and beautiful. His exacting standards made for the shattering of over 80% of each firing. One "rescued" piece however is now in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. His estate is represented by Pucker Gallery in Boston.
See two examples with the similar glaze, see illustration 2 and 29 in "The porcelain of Brother Thomas The path to the Beautiful" by Godine/Pucker Safrai. See less