$70
2000s
Available through eBay or Etsy.
Ceramic basket with rope-like handle. The piece is slab-built from a light colored clay. The piece is constructed with a square base, two main slabs, attached by two side slabs which also support the handle. The main slabs are further decorated with a scale-like mesh texture. The lip of the basket is decorated with a rope-like coil. The handle is made up of two hook-shaped supports with a coiled rope of clay braided through them. The piece is finished with a dramatically thick and lively turquoise glaze which drips down the coils and sides of the pot and pools towards the bottom. The glaze is marbelized with white, green and blue. The bottom is signed “P.W.” and the excess glaze has been saddened from the bottom.
I am not sure what to make of this, but am personally drawn the wabi-sabi appeal of it. The piece is simple and yet it has a very organic feel to it. The construction is rather crude, but the execution is superb. It would make a fabulous vase for ikebana, or just as an fascinating decor object.
8 inches tall, including handle, main body is 5 ¼ inches tall, 4 inches square at the base. It subtly flares to 5 ½ inches at the lip of the basket. In excellent condition with no chips, cracks, crazing or other signs of wear. There is a chip on the bottom which is clearly from the firing process when the glaze stuck the piece to the kiln shelf.