Kenneth Standhardt (American, b. 1961), Three Black Pottery Vessels

Oregon, hand indented stoneware vessels with geometric radial design in matte black finish, including a near pair of squat vases with flared rims; and a lidded squat vase, all signed "Standhardt" to underside.

Tallest 7 1/2 in.

Ken has worked in clay since the age of thirteen, and eventually specializing in a type of folk pottery he developed over the past two decades. By using a simple tool found in any kitchen of the past hundred years, a single vessel can have between 500 to 5,000 intricate hand carved motifs. His work is in the collections of Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art; The University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon; Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC; among others.

Small scattered surface marks to all; lidded squat vase with two nicks to rim of lid and one small chip to rim of vase; one nick to rim of larger flare rimmed squat vase.