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Sculptural Ceramic Handled Vase by Robert Turner

Creator: Robert Chapman Turner
Offered by: Tishu

Description
A glazed stoneware free form vase by American Ceramist Robert Chapman Turner (1913 - 2005) titled "Oshogbo Form III" circa 1970s. The piece was purchased in 1981 and held in the same collection since. The vessel is one of the classic forms with variations in Turner's repertoire since 1970s when he started to make non-functional abstract sculptural pieces. The vessel features an irregular hand-built form with surface markings and overall red glaze, inspired by his trips to Africa. Incised signature "Turner" on the base.
"In 1971–72, drawn by the power of African sculpture, and wishing to imbue his work with a greater sense of universality, Robert Turner traveled to Nigeria and Ghana. The trip proved transformational. In West Africa he was deeply moved by the way in which art was ingrained in daily experience, and by the beauty of traditional forms of architecture, pottery, ceremonial objects, and decoration. After his return, Turner began to produce series of distinctive vessel types named after African kingdoms and peoples—Ashanti, Ife, Oshogbo, Akan. The first is a squat, lidded pot; the others are cone and cylinder shapes." Smithsonian American Art Museum
Robert Turner's work is in numerous museum collections including the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City.
For another example of the form similar to this piece, see page 40 in "Robert Turner Shaping Silence A Life in Clay" by Marsha Miro and Tony Hepburn.

More Information

Documentation:	Signed
Origin:	United States
Period:	1950-1979
Materials:	ceramic
Condition:	Good. Fine vintage studio condition with kiln marks intended by the artist. Expected contact wear on the base.
Creation Date:	1970s
Styles / Movements:	Modern, Art Pottery, Bespoke
Patterns:	Abstract, Contemporary/Modern, Geometric, Handmade
Incollect Reference #:	460309

Dimensions

H.	12.5 in;	Diam.	9.5 in;
H.	31.75 cm;	Diam.	24.13 cm;

Message from Seller:

Our collection ranges from Neolithic Art to 20th century collectible art and design. It spans 5000 thousand years of history and crosses many civilizations and cultures. Our aesthetic strongholds are Mid-century studio design, Japanese and Korean art, Asian Textile Art and Contemporary Aboriginal Art. The diversity is united behind our singular vision to seek for timeless beauty and driven purely by our passion