Steven Branfman, American (b. 1953)

A Raku Chawan (#1537)

2025   

About the work

Steven Branfman’s chawan presents a compact yet slightly elevated form, with a gently cylindrical body and an irregular, softly undulating rim. The bowl emphasizes interior volume and containment, inviting close handling and reflecting the intimate scale of tea practice.

The surface is coated in a creamy white glaze densely freckled with black speckling and punctuated by smoky gray bands that move horizontally across the form. Fine crackle lines and pinholing animate the glaze, recording the rapid cooling and reduction intrinsic to the raku process. Darker passages gather toward the lower body, visually anchoring the bowl and reinforcing its sense of weight.

A dark, clearly defined foot provides stability and contrast, while the uneven rim underscores the handmade character of the piece. Both functional and expressive, the bowl serves as a tactile record of Branfman’s responsive approach to clay and fire.

Dimensions

8.9cm(h) x 11.4cm(w)

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.