*Artist:** Hiroshi Nakayama (Japanese-American, b. 1950s)

**Object Type:** Studio Art Pottery / Contemporary Ceramic Vessel

**Date of Creation:** May 1996 (Dated "5/96" on base)

**Signature:** Full incised signature "Nakayama 5/96" on the unglazed carbon base.

**Item Description:**

Up for sale is a stunning, authentic piece of contemporary studio art pottery by renowned master ceramicist Hiroshi Nakayama. Hand-thrown in May of 1996, this beautiful double-gourd or double-bulbous ceremonial vessel features an incredibly rich, complex metallic reduction glaze. The surface displays spectacular copper-matte flashes, deep iridescent plums, variegated greens, and a subtle crackle finish characteristic of high-end post-fired reduction or raku techniques.

The neck of the vase is beautifully accented with an original, hand-tied natural fiber (jute/straw) cord finished with an ornate fringe tassel, adding a superb organic texture to the overall aesthetic. The unglazed bottom features a rich, carbon-trapped black surface where the artist's handwritten signature and date are clearly incised.

Hiroshi Nakayama's contemplative ceramics are highly collected and are held in permanent museum collections, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. This is a stellar example of his mid-1990s form and glaze experimentation.

**Condition:**

Excellent vintage/studio condition. No chips, cracks, flea bites, or repairs. The glazes show beautiful intentional firing variations and crazing lines native to the studio process. Fiber rope is intact and securely tied. (Please view all high-resolution photos to evaluate the visual details).

**Approximate Measurements:**

[ 8 ] " H  x  [ 6 ] " W

Weight: [ 2lbs ]