Vase

One of the leading American ceramicists of the 20th century, Elsa Rady was known for her updated interpretations of traditional forms and decorative styles that ranged from ancient Greek pottery to Chinese porcelain. Her introduction to Chinese ceramics came from her friend Carol Sackler, daughter of prominent Asian art collector Arthur M. Sackler, who showed Rady the Song dynasty (961–1279) works in her father’s collection.

A product of Rady’s experimentation with Chinese glazes, this vase demonstrates her flawless mastery of the complex oxblood glaze. The shape of the vessel itself, although without any direct model in antiquity, seems timeless in its perfection, but energized by a creative asymmetry in its small neck.