195. Cara Taylor, Vase

195. Cara Taylor, Vase, “Pyramid No. 1”

Taylor is a potter in Easthampton, Massachusetts. For more of her work, see her website, carataylor.com.

White porcelain clay; wood-fired with cream color on exposed sides, with some brown speckling, especially toward the base; base is orangish pink. Glazed through salt-firing. A lining glaze in a light blue color was applied to the interior. Weight: 620 g (22 oz). Height: 14.3 cm (5-5/8 in). Length: 16.3 cm (6-1/4 in). Width: 11.4 cm (4-1/4 in).

This was hand-built, apparently of two pieces of clay. The piece sits on a flat, three-sided base 15 x 12.5 x 12 cm (6 x 5 x 4-3/4 in). The two longer sides meet in an arc; they meet the shortest side at about 90 degree angles. The shortest side bows outward slightly. The marks where the small posts used to separate pots in the kiln were attached are visible as grayish spots on the base. This same piece of clay was bent upwards in a triangular shape with the apex 12.5 cm (5 in) above the base (here referred to as the back piece). The other piece of clay forms the two long sides of the piece, meeting the back piece as right angles and curving around on the opposite side. They join at the top in a sharp line that rises slightly from the back side to the mouth. There is a slight indent at the seam where the two pieces meet.  The mouth is an oval 3.2 x 2.3 cm (1-1/4 x7/8 in) in size. It is located on one of the longer sides. The surface of this is mostly smooth; the brown speckles protrude slightly.

A well thought out and nicely executed piece. It manages to be equally formal, elegant, flowing, and playful. 

Purchased from the artist in October 2022.