Midon Othmer Studio Ceramic Tile 1968-69 – Bronze Cranes / Garden Relief Tile – Japanese Kiln Fired – Provenanced
This handmade ceramic relief tile was created by artists Mid and Don Othmer under the studio name Midon Othmer – Iwao Jiki.
The tile depicts a pair of bronze-toned cranes standing in a garden setting, accompanied by an evergreen tree and a softly modelled city skyline in low relief. The composition is framed by a green-glazed border. The front is embossed “1968 Midon 1969,” indicating the period of creation.
The reverse bears a handwritten inscription dated 1969, referencing a Japanese legend in which cranes are said to live for one thousand years and to carry good wishes and blessings. The text notes the presence of bronze cranes in the artists’ garden and expresses hopes for long life in health, concluding with Christmas greetings. The inscription is signed by Mid and Don Othmer. The tile also bears the IWAO JIKI studio stamp. Two holes on the reverse allow for wall display.
Works by Midon Othmer – Iwao Jiki are handmade studio ceramics, kiln-fired at high temperatures to achieve a vitrified surface with distinctive relief and glaze variation. Tiles from the late 1960s represent some of the earliest works in the series and were produced in very limited numbers, often as personal gifts rather than commercial editions.
This example is particularly significant for its clear expression of Japanese cultural symbolism, longevity themes, and East–West exchange - elements that form a core foundation of the studio’s later work.
Exceptional Provenance
The reverse of the tile bears a handwritten inscription by the artists. The inscription is signed by Mid and Don Othmer.
[Chinese characters present at upper left]
“In Japanese Legend
Cranes like for 1000 years
and carry good wishes and blessings.
The bronze cranes in our garden bring our
Hopes for your long life in health, and
our Cheers for Christmas
and for 1969
Mid and Don Othmer”
(Oval stamp below reads: IWAO JIKI)
This personal inscription directly confirms the tile’s origin as a gift, reinforcing its authenticity, social history, and non-commercial nature.
Technical and Artist Information
These tiles were created by artists Mid and Don under the moniker Midon Othmer – Iwao Jiki, a name formed from their combined names and the kiln in which the works were fired. Each tile is handmade and fitted with holes on the reverse for display.
Originally produced as Christmas gifts for friends of the Othmer family, the tiles quickly attracted broader interest and were subsequently made in strictly limited quantities. Production was always small, contributing to their rarity and collectibility.
The Midon Othmer and Iwao Jiki works are classified as Taizar art and were fired at the Taizan Gama kiln in Arita, Saga Prefecture, Japan, on the island of Kyushu. The kiln reaches temperatures of approximately 2,000 degrees, permanently fusing the glaze to the ceramic surface and resulting in a distinctive, durable finish. Don, a professional chemist, refined and perfected the glazing process through careful experimentation, giving these tiles their characteristic depth and surface quality.
Details
Artists : Mid Othmer & Don Othmer
Moniker : Midon Othmer
Date : 1968
Type : Studio ceramic tile
Imagery : Bronze Cranes / Garden
Dimensions : 15 × 15 cm
Firing : Taizan Gama kiln, Arita, Japan
Display : Holes to reverse for wall hanging
Condition
Good vintage condition. The front presents well with strong relief detail and intact glaze. The reverse shows age-related surface wear, and handling marks consistent with age and studio production. The handwritten inscription remains clear and legible. No cracks or repairs observed. Please review all photographs carefully as they form part of the description.
A scarce early studio ceramic by Midon Othmer – Iwao Jiki, pairing a Manhattan skyline with seasonal imagery and a personal handwritten inscription from the mid-1970s.
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