Studio Art Appraisal

Studio Pottery Bowl with Drip Glaze (Dated 2020)

This item is identified as a handcrafted ceramic bowl, distinguished by its unique glazes and evident artistic marks. The bowl features a sturdy construction, likely made from earthenware or stoneware clay, indicative of its earthy, unglazed base color, which appears to be a light cream or off-white. The upper interior and rim of the bowl are adorned with a lustrous, dark brown, almost black, glaze that exhibits an intentional 'drip' effect, creating elongated, organic shapes against the lighter background. These drips appear to be quite thick, possibly indicating a generous application of glaze. The glaze has a high-gloss finish, reflecting light, suggesting it was fired at a high temperature. There is a visible reddish-brown speckling along the transition from the glazed to the unglazed surface, possibly a result of the glaze's interaction with the clay body or a secondary glaze application. The visible portion of the exterior bottom surface is unglazed, revealing the natural texture and color of the clay. This unglazed surface is slightly uneven, showing tactile qualities of the hand-thrown or hand-built nature of the piece. Notable features include incised markings on the unglazed base: a distinctive artisan's signature or maker's mark resembling stylized initials, possibly 'MZ' or 'MW', and a clearly handwritten '2020', indicating the year of creation. The craftsmanship appears to be of good quality, showcasing careful glazing and finishing, with no immediately obvious major cracks or chips visible in the partial view. The intentional 'drip' effect points to a contemporary or modern art pottery style. The combination of the artist's mark and the date suggests this is a unique, studio pottery piece rather than mass-produced.