Historic Jars (with Lids) by Amanda Hanson

So for this assignment I decided to look up jars, or even lidded vaces, on The Metropolitan Museum of Art website. I went through a lot of pages and found several that I liked for different reasons, here they are.

(Above) Large storage jar with floral decoration - http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/100030336

I chose to look at this storage jar because, for this assignment I'm more interested in trying out different slips and stencils to decorate my pieces. I liked the sharpness that the floral decoration had, and that it was only on the top section of the jar, rather then all the way down the piece.

(Above) Large Baluster jar with figure of hawk on lid - http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/60019975

I chose this piece because I've always been drawn to Asain art. I just love the amount of details that can be seen in it, there is just so much to look at (seriously click on the link and go to the full screen mode for it.) I just wish that the picture could be in color; I used the description of it on the website (Porcelain with underglaze blue decoration, overglaze enamels, and gold) to find similar examples online, and it lead me to the two images below.

This jar, even if it is a little busy color wise, is by far my favorite jar out of everything I've seen so far. It's from the Ming dynasty, and the fish illustrated on it are carp. Here's a link to a website with more images of it, and even more links to jars like this http://www.alaintruong.com/archives/2012/07/26/24778439.html

The way that the carp have been illustrated is what got to me, since I illustrate fish in a similar manner. Aside from that I love the use of white space on this jar, as well as the curve of both the lid and the jar itself.

 

(Below) Jar depicting three spirited peacocks - http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/140008333

Another lidless jar that I found. This time I chose it because of the very strange and stylized peacock painted on it.

(Below) Jar with lid, from the Qing dynasty - http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/60019472

Once again I tried to find a colored image of this piece, or of a similar piece, but no such luck this time. I really wish I could see what it actually looked it. My favorite areas on this jar are the sections of repeating patterns by the foot of the jar, and below the neck of the jar. I wasn't sure about using patterns on my own jars, but this is convincing me otherwise.

 (Above) Jar Qing dynasty - http://www.metmuseum.org/collections/search-the-collections/60021495

You know how a minute ago I said that the carp jar was my favorite? Well I've changed my mind, I somehow just managed to fall in love with a piece of porcelain. The line work, the intricate pattern all over the jar, the delicate shading on the flowers. It's all amazing, and I just found a ton more of these, none of them are in color which is breaking my heart. Please go look at all of these, I've been in an artists slump for a week now, and I'm finally inspired to work again, off to the studio!

Lidded Jars

For this Blog post I decided to go "off the grid" and take a look at other artists.

Jon Oakes

Raku finishing is not yet in Wikipedia, but what a great effect. From Pinnacle Gallery: "The colors and designs of Jon Oakes' vessels and plates with Raku finishing have made his work very popular with interior designers and ceramic collectors. From beautiful 6" lidded pots to spectacular vessels over 4 feet tall, he attains brilliant colors that rank his Raku pieces as the best we've been able to find anywhere."

Natalie Blake

I think it's nice when people find their "thing" and make it a success. From Pinnacle Gallery: "Natalie Blake is a widely respected ceramic artist who is best known for her urchin-topped vessels. Her pieces exhibit fine details in sculpted designs that portray an organic feel."

Tania Rustage

Sugar-fired vessel with driftwood handle. It almost looks like fine stone, glass or amber.

Hsinchuen Lin

These birdhouses are really great and I bet they are fun and easy to make. Here's a vessel with a unique handle on the lid that caught my eye.

Barbara Dunshee

Just a bit of the whimsy. She must have had fun throwing the lid on the wheel, or did she?

Lidded jars

Unknown maker

lightning 1880's

Mason 1850’s

Atlas 1880’s

Kerr 1900’s

Ball 1880’s

For this lidded project I chose to look at different types of canning jars and their progression over the years. The pictures I have chosen to display are of the mid to late 1800’s and the early 1900’s. The photo of the brown ceramic jar is an example of what was used before glass jars came into circulation. The rest of the jars are from different competitors trying to control the market with the “best” jar. They are all very similar with few minor differences, with most of the differences affecting form and not function. Before rubber gaskets were put into place, sealing wax was used which can still be found if you look for it. Rubber has become the preferred method because of its ease of use and lack of clean up. Overall this was an interesting topic to look through. If I had more time I would look into how the metal is attached so I could try it with some of my lids.

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Cups Saucers Trays by Meara LaFrance

Jeff Campana made these contemporary cups and saucers. His style is very clean and refined, I really enjoy the colors as well as the way the cups and saucers appear to be pieced together. I would like to know how he goes about this.

Deborah Schwartzkopf created this lovely set and tray, she is probably my favorite clay artist Ive come across in this process. I enjoy the unique forms she creates, they are both soft and edgy. The colors are tastefully chosen and each piece seems to interact with the others in a way that brings them to life. I would like to know how she made the form for this tray, it looks as if she may have thrown the piece in the middle and hand built the side pieces? The rest of her work is amazing as well.

These cups are very simple, well defined. I love the surfaces and the contrast of color I like the way that each cup is unique but hold the same style and uniformity as the others. 

Tara Wilson created these cups, what I like most about them is the pillow like saucer they're resting on. I really enjoy the combination of thrown and hand built pieces, it creates so much opportunity for the artist. I think these cups are stunning I really enjoy the feet that she puts on her pieces, it really adds a lot of character to them.

Cups, Saucers and Trays

 

 

     For this blog I looked at several artists' work, here are some pictures of the pieces that I found interesting.

 

          Deb Schwartzkopf

       I love the odd, unexpected organic shape of the work.

 

 

 

 

 

Linda Arbuckle

I don't necessarily care for the style of art she puts on her pieces however I find her forms to be quite nice, I appreciate how the plate is not a straight edged square.





 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Stayley

I really like this artists work, the shapes appear to be off balance however the use of unique vibrant colors make them very appealing the eye

 

Shoji Hanada

I find this artists work to be a tad boring, however I really like the contrast of the base neutral color and the bright turquoise accent

 

 

 

 

Mackenzie Smith

 

 

 

 

 



Cup sets, saucers and tray by Iling Lai

Title: Unsolved Mystery Sauceboat.

Artist: Yoko Sekino-Bove.

Technique: Wheel thrown and altered.

Material: Mid-range porcelain.

H/W/D: 6”/ 7”/ 7”.

I love this piece; it’s so simple, great looking and wonderful. I check some information online, and know that Yoko chooses birds to be the main idea, because “birds have captivated artists for centuries with their song, flight and color. As spring migration unfolds, this group exhibition will explore the mysterious allure of birds through the hands of sixteen contemporary artists.” It’s a daily routine that we subconsciously participate in everyday life.

Title: Green Curve Cup and Saucer.

Artist: Jeff Campana.

Technique: Assembled/Thrown & Altered/Dissected.

Material: Porcelain.

H/W/D: 4/ 6/ 6.

This piece was hand thrown and trimmed on a potter’s wheel. It’s made the perfect saucer for the curve cup in exactly the right way. The cup is designed with a very comfortable 2 finger handle. Glazed in a two tone green color scheme, and interplay of satin matte and high gloss surface make this set a tactile and visual pleasure to behold. Jeff said “It was then cut into many pieces, the edges smoothed with a sponge, then reassembled to yield the line seen on the inside and out. Made from midrange porcelain, it features bright vibrant colors, high durability, and a reduced environmental impact.”

Title: Yellow Mug Set.

Artist: Vince Pitelka.

Technique: Slab-built.

Material: Stoneware.

H/W/D: 6”/ 6”/ 3.5.

How cute these couple cups, I love it. It’s looks like the people, have head, neck, body, legs and the handle looks like hand. And I like the design of the body, it’s looks old style, but it is good. I love it and let me want to make one of these too, but different style lol.

Title: Small Rectangular Tray: Red.

Artist: Linda Arbuckle.

Technique: Hand built.

Material: Terra Cotta.

H/W/D: 2.5/ 6.2/ 4.2.

This piece is kind of simple and colorful, I like how it looks casual but have it’s own style. This vessel brings art experience into our daily life. Line, color, gesture, and the lure of materiality articulate the value of indulgence, and the transience of plant life.