149. Joseph Bounds, lidded stoneware box

149. Joseph Bounds, lidded stoneware box

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bounds is a young potter in Faison, North Carolina. For other examples of his work, see his Instagram account, @jgbounds.

Brown clay, yellowish-brown, white, and clear glazes. Weight: 336 g (12 oz).  Bottom section; dimensions at top: 6.3 x 7.2 cm (2-1/2 x 2-7/8 in); dimensions of base: 5.7 x 6.5 cm (2-1/4 x 2-5/8 in); size of opening: 4.4 x 5.3 cm (1-3/4 x 2-1/8 in) by 2.5 cm (1 in) deep. Height: 3.2-3.4 cm (1-1/4–1-5/16 in). Top section: dimensions at bottom and top: 6.3 x 7.2 cm (2-1/2 x 2-7/8 in); dimensions of opening: 4.3 x 5.7 cm (1-7/8 x 2-5/16 in) by 2.5 cm (1 in) deep. Height: 3.8 cm (1-1/2 in). Height (overall): 7 cm (2-3/4 in).

This was shaped “upside down” as a hollowed-out shape with straight sides and a domed top. It was then set open side down upon a rolled slab; the slab was trimmed to fit the bottom and then attached to the body. The slab is about 0.6 cm (1/4 in) thick. “BOUNDS” was incised into the bottom of the base. The seam is not visible to the eye but can be felt by the fingertips. The shape of the body is roughly rectangular. The sides have been smoothed down, but vertical grooves were cut into the long sides at two points. The top is rough and unfinished. The box was cut at a slight diagonal to form the lid and base. A narrow flange was built around the opening on the base section, roughly 0.3 cm (1/8 in) high; a slightly taller groove was hollowed out along the inside margins of the lid section to accommodate the flange. The lid fits securely on the base. The texture of the base section is sandy; the top of the lid is quite bumpy.

The interiors of both sections appear to have been coated with a clear glaze. The exterior was coated with a brown slip and a white (ash?) glaze was splashed over the top and dripped down the sides.

Purchased from the artist in September 2021.