Steven Branfman, American (b. 1953)

A Raku Vessel (#1522)

2025 

About the work

Executed by Steven Branfman, this raku vessel presents a rounded, swelling body rising into a restrained cylindrical neck, creating a balanced relationship between mass and lift. The form emphasizes interior volume, with the broad belly and narrowed throat reinforcing the sense of inward pressure that defines the vessel’s outward profile.

The surface is composed of layered horizontal bands in greens, ochres, blues, whites, and earthy oranges, interspersed with darker passages and crackled textures. These strata suggest geological formations, eroded landscapes, and mineral deposits, recalling Branfman’s sustained observation of natural and weathered surfaces. Variations in glaze density, texture, and sheen create depth and movement, allowing the surface to read as both accumulated and disrupted.

The neck and foot are left dark and matte, framing the richly worked body and providing visual stability. Rooted in the tradition of functional pottery yet resolved as sculpture, the vessel reflects a disciplined engagement with raku firing, where spontaneity and control are held in careful balance.

Dimensions

38.1cm(h) x 25.4cm(w)

Weight: approx. 3.2kg 

Footnote

Steven Branfman received his Masters Degree from Rhode Island School Of Design in 1975 and has earned an international reputation as a clay artist. In 1977 he founded The Potters Shop and School in Needham, Massachusetts, USA, and has taught widely, including at Thayer Academy in Massachusetts since 1978. A member of the International Academy Of Ceramics, he has also held significant roles in several ceramics organizations. His Raku ware has been exhibited internationally and is included in collections such as the American Museum Of Ceramic Art and The Alfred Ceramic Art Museum. Branfman is the author of four books and a sought after workshop presenter in the United States and worldwide.