193. Andrew Sartorius, Firebox Sculpture 4, “The Tower”

 193. Andrew Sartorius, Firebox Sculpture 4, “The Tower”

 

For Sartorius, see item 143.

Wild clay from West Virginia. Gray, black, reddish brown colors from wood-firing. Weight: 426 g (15 oz). Height: tallest side: 11.3 x 9.7 cm (4-1/2 x 3-7/8 in); opposite side 10.7 x 9.4 cm (4-1/4 x 3-3/4 in). Width: sides: 4.7 x 5.8 cm (1-7/8 x 2-1/4 in); bottom: 5.5 x 5 cm (2-1/4 x 2 in).

This is a four-sided column with curved panels and irregular sides. The base is flat, a three-sided figure with sides that curve outward and with curved angles where the sides meet. The base is roughly 4.8 x 2.5 cm (1-3/4 x 1 in). The base does not occupy all of the bottom of the piece. The rest of the bottom curves slightly upward toward the sides. The artist’s mark was impressed into the clay in this area. The opening at the top is 3.5 x 2.7 cm (1-3/8 x 1/16 in), roughly rectangular in shape. The surface is moderately rough and pitted.

This was fired in the lower front of an anagama kiln and was naturally glazed over a four-day firing period with a coating of fine ash particles, which melted and ran down the sides. The sides facing the ash flow became grayer than the other sides, which show up as a dark reddish brown color. There are a few brown spots.

This is meant to sit upright but the base is unsteady, and I position it on its side for safety’s sake.

Purchased from the artist, July 2022.