Susan Smyly (American, 1940-2009), Eight Ceramic Pieces with Portraits

May-June, 1975, (8) white glazed porcelain pieces to include (4) small bowls with hand-painted multicolor glaze portraits of women to interior and floral decoration to interior and rim, all signed to interior (4 7/8 in.); and (4) plates with hand-sketched portraits and women and a man in brown, all signed to rim, plate with portrait of man with stamp to underside that reads "CERAMICHE.PER.LAVASTOVII". (8 in.).

Trained in Italy, a master of a myriad sculptural techniques, Susan Smyly has worked for years outside the gallery system, honing her technique by producing intimate busts and bas-reliefs of people she knew or strangers she met on the street.

The work is distinguished by an extraordinary sensitivity to personality and individuality, a trait which carries over into her signature pieces, portrayals of beings inspired as much by the nightmares on the evening news as they are by the faces at the corner store.

Susan Smyly is a Fulbright scholar and has twice been awarded the Prix de Rome, given out annually by the American Academy in Italy. Her work has been represented in exhibitions including The Hirshhorn Museum, Washington, DC; The Smithsonian Museum, Washington, DC; and The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY.

Bio courtesy of the artist's website.

Two bowls with light crazing, the other two with minute glaze skips to rim; a few plates with minor scuffs and nicks to rim