The shapes, curves and faces on this wheel-turned vase were carved and hand painted, evoking designs by artists like Picasso and Kandinsky. The sgraffito technique used on the heavy earthenware makes everything pop and the colors range from peachy orange and plum and black to metallic gold and silver. The interior is unglazed white, the top and bottom rims are muted gold. Two theater masks, one on each side, are done in a gray crackle-effect glaze.
It's possible this vase was sold by Kalifano in Las Vegas, Nevada. During the 1980's to the 1990's, they offered for sale a line of pottery with abstract designs. This vase does not bear their label but has the capital letter A molded onto the black bottom.
The vase stands 12 inches tall, with an opening 3 1/4 inches across and a base 4 1/4 inches in diameter. Across the shoulder of the baluster shape measures about 7 inches and it weighs 3 3/4 pounds. The vase is in very good condition, with minor wear to the gold on the upper rim and flakes off the black paint on the foot rim. No matter which way this large statement piece is turned, every eye is mesmerized.
