Michael Casson "Landscape" Vase

A stoneware vase with impressed decoration, handmade by Michael Casson, 1970's.

During the post-war period, Britain experienced a surge of interest in the art of studio pottery. This phenomena was largely driven by a select group of influential potters, and amongst these luminaries was Michael (Mick) Casson.

Casson's distinctive style is characterised by robust forms, naturalistic glazes and abstract decoration. Whilst Japan was a key influence on many of his contemporaries, Casson found inspiration in the ceramics of ancient Greece, which is best observed in his jugs and pitchers.

Michael Casson's legacy extends beyond his body of work; he is also celebrated for his role as an educator. Renowned & remembered for his charismatic teachings, he influenced multiple generations of studio potters during his tenure at the Harrow School of Art, London. His workshop-style lessons helped to elevate Harrow's pottery course to global acclaim, whilst leaving an indelible mark on countless students, many of whom enjoyed successful careers in ceramics.

This vase belongs to a series of "Landscape" objects thrown by Casson during the 1970's. These stoneware vases and bowls were glazed and fired in a variety of techniques, but were unified by an incised or impressed "landscape" decoration of hills, rivers, and trees. This example has been salt-glazed, giving the piece an attractive sheen, whilst the the unpredictable wood-firing process provides a distinctively organic character, imparting dramatic variations of colour & texture across the whole piece.