Porcelain Grace - Meryl Ruth

VICE VERSA-CHI TEA

Illustration of Vice Versa-Chi Tea, a ceramic teapot in the form of a purse with two matching teacups.

This ceramic teapot is a further variation of the theme undertaken previously with Black Cherry Tea, in which the teapot takes on the form of a high-end Versace handbag.
By contrast, however, this bag is intended to be far more animated and structurally stressed, as if by usage, and given the design and coloration of a mod 2960's pattern with dancing feet.
The piece is accompanied by matching teacups to mirror the structural and design elements.
Its name is a complex wordplay of vice (the sin of vanity), Versace (the bag), versatility, vice versa, chi (the Chinese principle of nature) and tea (teabag, a composite of teapot and handbag).
This stoneware clay piece is entirely hand-built , except for its wheel-thrown and altered spout.
Construction sequence:
- First fired to cone 06.
- Underglazing applied.
- Refired to cone 6.
- Overglazing was done with China paints .
- Gold mica particles were added as well.
- Final refiring done in an oven at 300 degrees F.
Date: 2009.
Size: 13.0" x 13.0" x 8.0".
Available for purchase: Price for teapot $750; for set $850.

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ENLARGED VIEWS

Enlarged view of Vice Versa-Chi Tea.

Enlarged view of Vice Versa-Chi Tea

Enlarged view of Vice Versa-Chi Tea.

CREATIVE PROCESS

Creative process illustrated.

Preliminary sketch of this piece shows anticipated design details of the Versace-type handbag.
Anthropomorphic features have been added, such as the diminutive feet.

Creative process illustrated.

The body of this piece is constructed from clay slabs rolled out and cut to the size and shape.of cardboard templates .
They are pieced together and held in place by the templates until dry enough to stand alone.
Additional clay segments form the clasp handles.
Extruded clay is used for the piping.

Creative process illustrated.

A set of four teacups accompanies Vice Versa-Chi Tea. They are individually designed and executed in stoneware clay.
They are intended to match and complement the teapot in structural design and coloration.
The cups are wheel thrown with thrown handles. The basees are press molded from lace templates.
Matching saucers are planned as well.

Creative process illustrated.

After its first firing to cone 06, Vice Versa-Chi Tea is prepared for underglazing.
Glazes are applied to the side panels in spiral form, beginning the mod design intended for this piece.

Creative process illustrated.

Underglazing is applied to the teacups.
The coloration and style of the underglazing is intended to match and complement the design on the teapot.

Creative process illustrated.

Additional underglazing is applied to embellish the purse and its handles, lid and feet.
This completes the overall design elements prior to the second firing.

DETAILED VIEWS *

Detailed views of this work.