Steven Branfman, American (b. 1953)

A Raku Chawan (#1550)

2025

About the work

Made by Steven Branfman, this raku chawan features a compact, well balanced form with a softly rounded body. The bowl rests on a dark, solid foot that provides visual weight and stability, anchoring the vessel firmly to the surface.

The exterior is animated by layered glazes in charcoal black, warm beige, and pale gray, with areas of bubbling, pitting, and fine crackle produced during the raku firing. These textures create a tactile, geological surface that recalls weathered stone and natural erosion. Variations in glaze thickness and tone add depth while preserving an overall sense of cohesion.

The interior is finished with a lighter crackled glaze that gently contrasts with the more rugged exterior. The chawan exemplifies Branfman’s approach to raku, where form, surface, and firing work together to produce a vessel that feels both intentional and alive.

Dimensions

8.9cm(h) x 8.9cm(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.