Pair of Karen Karnes Hand Thrown Stoneware Pottery Bowls

Item Details

A pair of functional hand thrown ceramic bowls by highly regarded artist Karen Karnes (American, 1925-2016). The wheel-thrown bowls feature a mix of her characteristic earth-toned matte and glossy glazes in blues, browns, yellows, and reds. They have lightly ribbed sides from the throwing process and are both inscribed with a double ‘K’ monogram by the artist near the base.

Karnes began her formal artistic training in her hometown at the Brooklyn College and graduated in 1946 with a degree in design. After college, she began to work alongside her husband and fellow artist, David Weinrib, in Pennsylvanian and it was there her interest in clay began. Wanting to advance her knowledge in the medium she studied abroad in Italy for a year and returned to New York to study ceramics on a fellowship at Alfred University. During 1968, Karnes met ceramic artist Byron Temple and learned the salt glaze technique. She became a pioneer for the salt-glazing technique and later wood-firing during the 1980s. In 1998 she was recognized with the Gold Medal for Consummate Craftsmanship the American Craft Council’s highest honor. Her ceramic work is housed in institutions throughout the world. Some institutions include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY, Museum of Fine Art, Boston, MA, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England.

Condition

- small stress cracks present to the base of both bowls; the cracks are a naturally occurring event in the pottery process and do not deteriorate from the integrity or usability of the bowl.

Dimensions

- measures larger bowl; smaller bowl measures 4.5" W x 2.5" H x 4.5" D.

Item #

16NYC028-114