Afterimage (Zanzō)

Ide Teruko created this imposing free-form vessel by using a slab technique and "neriage," a very difficult ceramic method of marbling clay to produce distinct variegated layers. She used alternating layers of pigmented clay—volcanic red and a deep earthen brown—in diagonal waves swelling across a field of dense black. The ground is subtly enriched by tiny glassy bits embedded in the jet-black matrix. A highly decorative effect is achieved by using contrasting silvery metallic glaze near the bottom and minute quartz inclusions that rise star-like above the rhythmic patterns of red.