Guy Sydenham Oxblood Vase

An exquisite vase with oxblood glaze, handmade by Guy Sydenham at his Green Island studio, Poole, C.1980.

Guy Sydenham's work from the Green Island era (1977-87) is characterised by soft & organic stoneware forms with earth-like glazes. Much of Sydenham's designs from this period feature a traditional brown salt-glaze, but colours such as ochre, navy blue and oxblood were also used. These elegant coloured glazes were often applied in a playful manner; in blocked colours, stripes, or as geometric shapes. 

The distinctive form of this piece is a flattened oval with a narrow neck. The shape is highly tactile, and sits perfectly in the hand like a smooth beach stone. 

The deep red glaze is varied; the rich oxblood colour has dapples of yellows and light browns. The dripping glaze has been thickly applied to the upper part of the vase, and paints a triangle of plain stoneware on the lower half. The whole piece has been dipped in a clear high-gloss glaze, which gives the vase a beautiful jewel-like quality.