ALL ABOUT THE FORM

When I am looking at pots there are pieces that are decidedly all about the surface and glaze, a technique, painting or in this case being all about the form. Tall, elegant the surface finishes off the form in a dark cloak with flecks of aventurine shimmering about the pot as if dancing about only constrained by the borders of the form that have been rubbed back to a rich rust color. Made by a master of the studio pottery movement, Kawamura Seizan (1890-1967) of Kyoto this piece is a bit different than the majority of his body of work where he specialized in sometsuke and overglaze enamel painted pottery though this vase is typical of his attention to detail and exacting understanding of form. At many level I am reminded of a select group of the Meiji to early Showa studio potters blended with hints of older Chinese monochrome porcelains without the coldness and perfect sterility, this pot has a grace and appeal which is seemingly all about the form but let's be honest the rich surface certainly has something to do with it