Sculptural Ceramic Funnel Vase by Robert Turner

A white stoneware vase by American Ceramist Robert Chapman Turner (1913 - 2005). Made between 1970-80s, the group of white-colored vessels with such a funnel form were called either Beach or Shore, obviously inspired by the ocean. Hand sculptured in a simple form with a neck opens to mouth that also can serve as a handle, the surface was always marked with artistic imperfection intended by the artist, such as incision and kiln bubble and burst. On this vase, the artist made several incision lines randomly, and also sparsely applied some tiny sand-like granules, adding a very subtle texture and allude to the scheme of the ocean. Incised signature "Turner" on the base.
The vessel is one of the classic forms with variations in Turner's repertoire since 1970s when he started to make non-functional abstract sculptural pieces. Incised signature "Turner" on the base.
"In 1971–72, drawn by the power of African sculpture, and wishing to imbue his work with a greater sense of universality, Robert Turner traveled to Nigeria and Ghana. The trip proved transformational. In West Africa he was deeply moved by the way in which art was ingrained in daily experience, and by the beauty of traditional forms of architecture, pottery, ceremonial objects, and decoration. After his return, Turner began to produce series of distinctive vessel types named after African kingdoms and peoples—Ashanti, Ife, Oshogbo, Akan. The first is a squat, lidded pot; the others are cone and cylinder shapes." Smithsonian American Art Museum
Robert Turner's work is in numerous museum collections including the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City.
Several examples of this series are illustrated in the book "Robert Turner Shaping Silence A Life in Clay" by Marsha Miro and Tony Hepburn, including the cover page, and page 35, 45, 46 and 47.
Provenance: From an American Collection.