Altarpiece II Sculpture

This dish is part of the Transience collection which reveals my interest in ancient objects from archaeological findings whether unearthed from deserts or dredged from the depths of the oceans. Some are based on articles of Babylonian origin which I have observed and studied from many museums around the world. The objects are both contemporary and ancient. They combine different cultures. The partial and crackled form demonstrate an ephemeral beauty,fragility and evanescent nature of life. I use many different techniques to create the desired effect to convey the history of the piece and its origins. This piece is made from stoneware and porcelain clay rolled together very finely but ensuring that it is able to withstanding the high temperatures and pressures of the high-firing process. The clay sheet is then torn delicately to form the dish. It is decorated and then fired twice in an electric kiln. The initial biscuit firing to 1000c and final stoneware firing to 1260c. This makes the piece vitrified and therefore waterproof and also gives it a tensile strength. The top surface is covered with a high fired transparent green glaze and the base washed with a cobalt wash. The edge has been touched lightly with fools gold to create a lustrous metallic look to give the appearance of opulence. I have decorated both the top and underside of the dish so that it is possible to be displayed on a plate stand if desired and both sides can be appreciated as two distinct works of art. This pieces relates to the fragility and vulnerability of all things which are subject to the laws of nature. It depicts items that may have had a past life in Temples and Palaces of the ancient world and now uncovered by archaeology as remains immortalising beauty in its new setting. Altarpiece II The decoration on both sides is a hint to the important part this opulent piece would have once played and the reverence it would have received from the high priests to the temples it came from. The top surface shows off the delicate porcelain & buff clay crackle technique which emulates the rippling waves of soft sand at the bottom of the sea, now appearing to be fossilised into the body of the dish itself. The underside has a textured pattern with a cobalt oxide wash, which gives a vibrant dark colour to its base. This piece has been fired in an electric kiln to 1260c so it is waterproof and can be washed with water to remove dust or dirt. I imagine this ancient artefact to have been once used by the priests of the ancient temples of Babylonia. Offering precious scented ointments or perhaps exotic dried fruit to appease the gods. It is a tactile piece which can be displayed on a plate holder or in front of a mirror to show of its base and would look stunning in a modern or traditional setting.

Sculpture:Ceramic on Ceramic

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:13.4 W x 2.8 H x 9.8 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.