Late 20th Century Glazed Ceramic Tea Bowl by Toshiko Takaezu

A small elegant glazed ceramic tea bowl (chawan) by Japanese American artist Toshiko Takaezu (American, 1922 – 2011). The well-balanced form is hand built and shows slight irregularity, further accentuated with wheel grooves circumventing the exterior. The surface is covered with a slightly greenish glaze of a lacquer finish with crackles. The lower portion is covered with an abstract glaze with a complex color transition and overlayed pattern. The colors range from beige to reddish brown to ink black. The patterns show patched overlaid with stripes and strokes. The interior is decorated with a few brushed strokes, reminiscent of ink calligraphy.
The artist’s work was heavily influenced by the Japanese ceramic tradition and aesthetics. The bowl is signed with the artist’s cypher on the underside.