AI Appraisal Estimate

This item is a small, hand-formed ceramic vessel, likely a cup or bowl, featuring a dark cobalt-blue glaze. The piece exhibits a wabi-sabi aesthetic with an intentionally irregular, undulating rim and a textured, slightly uneven body that suggests it may have been hand-built or wheel-thrown with manual manipulation. The glaze appears thick and glossy, with a deep saturation of color that shifts slightly towards black in areas of greater depth. The exterior shows visible ridges consistent with throwing or pinching methods, while the base tapers slightly to a footed bottom. While no maker's mark is visible in the provided photograph, the owner attributes the piece to 'Hannah Scott'; this user-supplied claim remains unverified and subject to physical inspection for a signature. The age is stylistically consistent with contemporary studio pottery. The condition appears to be good with no obvious chips or cracks visible, though reflections on the glossy surface may obscure minor surface wear. The craftsmanship emphasizes a modern, artisanal approach common in 21st-century functional ceramics.

Based on the provided imagery, I have examined this hand-formed ceramic vessel featuring a deep cobalt glaze and an irregular wabi-sabi aesthetic. Per the user's submission, the piece is attributed to artist Hannah Scott; however, I cannot verify this authorship from a photograph alone as no signature or maker's mark is visible in the image. I am treating this attribution as a working hypothesis that would require physical inspection to confirm. The vessel exhibits characteristics of contemporary studio pottery, including intentional asymmetry and a textured body. The glaze appears consistent with modern high-fire or mid-range artisanal techniques. Based on what I can see, the condition appears good, though reflections on the glossy finish could potentially mask minor surface abrasions or kiln defects. My valuation range of $120 represents the market for a verified work by an emerging studio potter such as Scott. The value is highly dependent on the confirmation of the signature; if the piece remains unattributed or is determined to be a student-grade work 'in the style of' such pottery, the value would likely fall to $20-40. General market demand for small-scale contemporary ceramics is stable, driven by the popularity of functional art. To provide a more accurate assessment, an in-person examination would be necessary to locate a signature, assess the foot-ring for specific production traits, and confirm the absence of hairline cracks not visible in photos. Documentation of provenance or a receipt from a known gallery would also support the higher end of this estimate.