104. Andrew H.S. Mazzaschi, soda-fired tumbler

104. Andrew H.S. Mazzaschi, soda-fired tumbler

 

 

 

For Mazzaschi, see item 103.

Brown stoneware clay, seafoam glaze; base left unglazed. Weight: 384 g (14 oz). Rim and maximum diameter: 8.2 cm (3-1/4 in); foot ring diameter: 4.7 cm (1-7/8 in). Height: 12 cm (4-3/4 in).

This sits on the base of the foot ring. On both the interior and the exterior the foot ring is about 0.6 cm (1/4 in) high. On the exterior, the foot ring has been shaped into a concave arc. The artist’s mark, his initials, AHSM, inside a square, has been stamped inside the foot ring. Above the foot, the walls arc out quickly, reaching the maximum diameter about 2.5 cm (1 in) above the base. From there the walls rise more or less in a straight line to the rim, with one exception. There is a concave indentation running around the pot above 5 cm (2 in) above the base. The exterior has a series of raised vertical lines running down the outside. These lines are irregularly spaced, and in places the edges protrude sharply through the finish.

The piece was decorated with a textured dark red slip, and a seafoam glaze was applied inside and out. The piece was then soda-fired. The firing produced the variations in color from glossy and pale blue to eggshell, with grays, green, and browns. The surface is speckled with many dark brown spots. The red of the slip shows through on the higher and sharper vertical lines, as well as on the foot ring. The color of the clay is visible only in the marks on the foot ring left by the wads used to separate pots during firing.

The shape of this reminds me of a Japanese yunomi (handle-less teacup). It’s well balanced and comfortable to hold. The range of colors is fantastic. The irregular lines add movement and a unique texture.

Purchased at the annual spring sale at Feet of Clay Pottery, Brookline, Massachusetts, May 2021.