MID-20TH CENTURY AMERICAN VINTAGE SEPIA BROWN & PUTTY WHITE, with EPISODES of SPECKLED BURNT SIENNA, GLAZE DECORATED, STONEWARE SNOWY
OWL CERAMIC FIGURATIVE BANK, FEATURING SGRAFFITO INCISED
SURFACE MARKS
(Circa 1968-1978)
Mid-20th century American vintage figurative, stylized stoneware ceramic owls & other fauna
DIMENSIONS:
5 1⁄2" Height x 4 1⁄2" Width x 4" Depth
Weight: 1 lb. 12 oz.
DESCRIPTION:
For sale is this too cool for school mid-20th century vintage stoneware ceramic snowy owl figure, standing on attention like a soldier in formation. It has wonderful period, stylized figuration and hand painted sepia brown over putty white glaze color, with speckles of burnt sienna. Most likely American, it was originally realized and fashioned somewhere between the late 1960's to late 1970's, with its characteristic American stoneware glazed treatment, allowing the kiln in high heat, to provide for unexpected occurrences and variations in the glaze, as we see here. The figuration is accomplished by hand, with possibly only the hollow body of the owl having been thrown on the wheel. The attached, cut-out, raised circular eyes are decorated with a linear sepia brown pinwheel pattern, that at once makes the owl look either drunk, star struck in amazement or smitten by love. The slab-constructed nose, eyebrows and wings are also attached to the body. Sgraffito, inscribed mark-making is found on its back, forehead and extra-large, round eyes. Absolutely spectacular. Wonderful comedic impulse on display here. An owl possibly tripping on acid or perhaps just happy to be alive. Hilarious.
CONDITION:
Very Good to Excellent overall vintage condition.