Abstract studio pottery sculpture, black glazed, Perignem style, Belgium, 1970s

A sculptural studio ceramic in a powerfully reduced formal language: Two staggered, offset circular discs grow upwards from a rectangular base, arranged like overlapping fan leaves one behind the other, cutting open their upper edge. Into each of the two front discs is cut a slender, leaf- or feather-like shape, the interior of which is structured with fine, parallel-grooved lamellae – a precisely crafted detail that shimmers in grazing light. The deep black, matte-velvety glaze covers a slightly grained, hand-built surface, revealing the warm, reddish tone of the fired body on the unglazed underside of the base – an indication of traditional terracotta craftsmanship, as was common in Belgian studio ceramics of the 1970s, for example, in the vicinity of the Perignem workshop.

With a height of 29 cm, a width of 22.5 cm, and a depth of 6.5 cm, and weighing 3.1 kg, the sculpture appears surprisingly present despite its compact, flat construction and is suitable both free-standing on a sideboard or console and placed against a wall, where the shadows cast by the cut shapes are further accentuated. The condition is very good, without chips or flaking on the delicate disc edges, with four original felt glides on the underside.