Anagama No.1 – Dappled Gray Vase (OUT OF STOCK)

Description

I am Anagama No.1 Dappled Gray Vase. Fired not once, but twice, I’ve emerged with a marbley, dappled surface—part abstract art. Resting on three secret seashells, I’m full of stories waiting to be uncovered.

Curator’s Notes

Anagama No.1 – Dappled Gray Vase is another masterpiece of the exhibition and a true marvel of experimentation. This large, spherical vase—reminiscent of the moon or even a puffer fish—stands out not only for its unique form but also for its rare and intricate surface. Keisuke Iwata recounted the story behind this piece with pride, as it was his first time using a gloss gray glaze and the first time he fired a piece twice—once in an electric kiln and again in the anagama kiln. This dual process resulted in the stunning, dappled textures and the marble-like patterns, with crevices and ashen spots that make the surface feel almost like an abstract painting. One of the most fascinating details is the subtle touch of the three seashell imprints that the vase rests on. Functionally, the shells propped up the spherical form during firing, but they also leave a poetic mark, a quiet secret shared only between Iwata-san and the future owner. They’re a reminder of the hidden mysteries within Iwata’s work—details that only reveal themselves with time and closer observation. This vase leaves much for the viewer to interpret, with its tactile surface and mysterious presence inviting endless contemplation.

Anagama No.1 Dappled Gray Vase was curated by Angélique Chmielewski

Designer/Maker

Artist: Keisuke Iwata

Specifications

Dimensions:

7.5″ (w) x 7.8″ (l) x 7.3″ (h) or 191mm (w) x 198mm (l) x 185mm (h)

Weight:

4.6 lbs or 2.1 kg

Materials:

Ceramic

Details

• One-of-a-kind functional sculpture handmade by Keisuke Iwata in Fukuoka, Japan
• One-of-a-kind functional sculpture vase handmade by Keisuke Iwata in Fukuoka, Japan
• Flowers and water can be contained through an opening carved out in the piece
• Uniquely fired twice in both an electric and Anagama kiln resulting in rich textural and tonal details
• Created using an ancient Japanese ceramic technique that involves an Anagama woodfired kiln, fired in a ceremonial process by Keisuke Iwata
• Anagama works are each unique to the clay’s own intimate interactions with the flames and ash
• Watertight material
• Features unique markings, seashell imprints, ashened areas and irregular surface texture

• Rests on three seashell-imprinted “feet” that gently cradle the vase, keeping it perfectly balanced.

• Keisuke Iwata’s signature carved on the bottom of the piece