Steven Branfman, American (b. 1953)

A Raku Chawan (#1539)

2025

About the work

A compact and grounded tea bowl by Steven Branfman, this raku chawan is shaped with a gently flaring cylindrical body and a softly irregular rim that emphasizes balance and interior volume. The form invites close handling, reinforcing the intimate scale traditionally associated with tea practice.

The surface is layered with a pale, creamy glaze interrupted by bold vertical passages of darker earth tones, including charcoal black, mossy green, and muted ochre. These passages appear eroded and mineral rich, evoking weathered stone, bark, and lichen covered surfaces found in nature. Fine crackle lines and subtle glaze breaks document the rapid cooling and reduction central to the raku firing process, lending the surface depth and visual movement.

A dark, clearly defined foot anchors the bowl, providing contrast and stability, while slight undulations at the rim underscore its handmade character. Both functional and expressive, the piece reflects Branfman’s sustained exploration of form, surface, and fire.

Dimensions

7.6cm(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.