Steven Branfman, American (b. 1953)

A Raku Chawan (#1549)

2025

About the work

Steven Branfman’s approach to raku is clearly expressed in this compact chawan, where form and surface are developed together through the firing process. The bowl has a stout, cylindrical profile with a slightly uneven rim and a dark, well defined foot that gives it a grounded presence.

The exterior surface is densely textured, with layered bands of charcoal black, mossy green, and muted pink tones. Pitted glaze, blistering, and areas of crackle create a tactile, geological quality that suggests weathered stone or stratified earth. These surfaces feel grown from the clay rather than applied, reinforcing Branfman’s philosophy of surface as a structural skin.

Inside, a pale crackled glaze softens the interior space and contrasts with the more rugged exterior. The piece balances spontaneity and control, shaped by both deliberate forming and the unpredictable nature of raku firing.

Dimensions

8.9cm(h) x 10.2cm(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.