Shoji Hamada (1894-1978) was a pivotal figure in the Mingei movement of Japan, which profoundly influenced mid-20th-century craft and design worldwide. His work emphasized the beauty of functional, handmade objects. Hamada's most celebrated works include his stoneware pieces, characterized by their rustic aesthetic and traditional Japanese glazing techniques, such as Tenmoku and Ash glaze. His collaborative work with Bernard Leach in the UK helped bridge Eastern and Western ceramic traditions, fostering a global appreciation for the craft. Hamada's approach to pottery, marked by a deep respect for natural materials and the art of craftsmanship, left an enduring impact on ceramic artists around the world, making him an honorary figure in the context of global design history.

Hamada

Stoneware vase. Impressed and glazed decoration.

Ceramics

Shoji Hamada Vase

Glazed stoneware, with signed wooden box

Relief patterned rim, glazed in brown, green and beige, measurements 32,5 x 33,3 cm, height ca 8 cm, wooden box, signed to the reverse of the cover, 35,8 x 35,8 cm, height 12,3 cm.

Provenance ;Ambassador Karl Fredrik Almqvist (1906-1982), who served as Sweden's Ambassador in Tokyo 1963-70. This dish was received as a gift directly from the artist, who was a close friend to the family.