SERVICE SETS 1979 — 1985

I have always liked sets because of the interrelationship between pieces. I made my first wheel thrown set in 1966. When I began slip casting, the Tea Service was the first I designed. All pieces are high-fired porcelain with color applied by airbrushing slips colored with ceramic stains. The insides are glazed, and trays are either low-fire clay or wood. For more information on technique, go to Quicksilver Pottery.

I made Tea Services from 1979 through 1985 though I redesigned it twice. Each cup has its own creamer, and there is a playful interaction between pieces. Sets are unique in color and pattern and there are variations in form as handles and spouts are cast and attached separately.

The ‘Expresso’ Set (as in expressive) was inspired by a knobby Kobe squash at the Farmer’s Market and by one of my ceramics classes at Chabot. Some of my students had been civil servants in Iran but fled for their lives during the Islamic Revolution. They were very fun and lively and when my department head visited my class, I commented “welcome to my bananas class.” I designed the set in 1980 and made them until 1984.

The Liqueur Server was a departure as it was designed from shells and rocks rather than veggies. When I designed the set I was experimenting with bone china. I cast the cups and sugar bowl in bone china to they would be translucent. I designed and made the set in 1985.