Collection of Two Ceramic Glazed Vases by Warren Mackinzie

An assemble of two stemmed cylinder-shape stoneware vases by American studio potter Warren MacKenzie (1924-2018). The two vases have a complementary form and silouette and display nicely together. The surface of the slightly taller vase is covered in orange Shino like glaze with white marking and scattered darker specks, mimicking the orange skin. Two roundels were placed on the front and back of the vase, a design that is unusual in the artist's repertoire. The shorter vase has a dark brown glaze mottled with a lighter yellow color with the dripping effect from the rim. It has an interesting, swelled butterfly shape body and a sharp hand-carved midline. Although clearly informed by the Japanese Mingei pottery aesthetic, the form and the stylized details are rather unique on these pieces. The shorter vase is Impressed artist's chop mark toward the base. The taller vase measures 7.5" h x 5.25" w x 4.5" d. The shorter vase measures 6.2" h x 5.25" w x 4" d.
Warren MacKenzie was a student of Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada, the British and Japanese potters who were masters of Mingei (folk art) pottery. Mackinzie is credited with bringing the functional Mingei tradition to the United States and spreading it through his own art and mentorship during his long tenure at the University of Minnesota.