Wood-Fired Ceramic Vase by Paul Chaleff

A stoneware vase by Paul Chaleff (1947-) made in 1984. Chaleff is known for his wood fired ceramic vessel without glaze or sometimes natural ash glaze. The vase on offer is of a highly geometrical form with handcut multifaceted lower body that rises and morphs into a rounded upper body with two hand-molded ears above the shoulder. The surface shows nice firing color variations due to the iron oxidation in the kiln and also carved lines left intentionally by the artist. It is marked with the artist's incised signature and date 84. This piece has a very strong Japanese wabi-sabi appeal which is the aesthetic influence of the artist's work and makes a visually arresting center piece for any interior.
"Paul Chaleff is known for his large-scale wood fired ceramic sculptures and vessels. He also created a large body of wheel thrown functional vessels. His vessels are strongly influenced by Japanese pottery, especially the work of one of Japan’s National Living Treasures, Takeshi Nakazato. Chaleff was one of the first American potters using a Japanese style Anagama kiln and became a leader in the introduction of this form of wood-burning kiln.
In 1989, he began a regular collaboration with the British sculptor Sir Anthony Caro. Over a period of thirteen years, they created nearly 50 works, both figurative and abstract. Caro’s sculpture has had direct influence on Chaleff’s work as has the sculpture of Isamu Noguchi, and the ceramics of John Mason and Lucie Rie."
Biography is from the Mark Project.