197. Jeff Abney, mug

197. Jeff Abney (Red Gate Pottery Studio), mug “with tractor-tire texture”

 

For Abney, see item 138.

Stoneware, coarse gray clay. “Hamada” glaze showing dark red with black streaks; bottom unglazed. Weight 490 g (17.5 oz). Height: 9.2 cm (3-5/8 in). Diameter at mouth: 9.7 cm (3-7/8 in); Width with handle: 13.2 cm (5-1/4 in). Capacity: 428 ml (15 fl oz).

This sits on the flat base, which has been scored with concentric circles. The walls slope outward from the base, reaching the widest diameter 9.2 cm (3.5/8 in) about 2.5 cm (1 in) above the base and then move gradually inward to the narrowest diameter 8.8 cm (3-1/2 in) about 2 cm (3/4 in) below the rim. The walls then flare outward at a slight angle to the rim. The walls would be very irregular in cross-sections. The artist’s marks (2) have been impressed into the walls just above the base. Two horizontal rows of chevrons (the “tractor-tire texture") were impressed into the walls just above the widest diameter and at the narrowest diameter. They appear to have been made with a roller device. The top of the handle is attached over the top row of chevrons; the bottom is even with the base.  The texture is smooth except over the chevrons.

This was glazed in what Abney calls the Hamada glaze, a dark reddish brown glaze with black streaks from the wood-firing reminiscent of those used by Hamada Shōji. The base and a narrow portion of the walls just above the base were left unglazed.

The mug is heavy but easy to hold.  Simple yet effective decoration.

Purchased from the artist in September 2022.