Vintage Japanese Raku Pottery Ceramic Sheep | Japanese Sheep Zodiac Treasures

Dimension: 2-0” x 2-5/8” w x 5/8”d

Offered is a pair of Japanese Raku pottery sculptures featuring a creative interpretation of Sheep purchased in Takayama Japan, a town famous for crafts. Each figure is hand formed with white clay, has a nice hand with a slightly gritty surface, and is all formed by the thermal shocks of the Raku firing processes. As seen in these two figures, Raku is characterized by its lead glaze, hand-shaped, and relatively porous clay body, and producing a combination of white and black color with cracks in the glaze which is characteristic of Raku. People born in the year of the Sheep are elegant, highly accomplished in the arts, and passionate about nature. The pieces are unsigned and shipped in their original Kirkwood box.

Raku firing creates completely unique pieces unique with each form design, and uncommon sizes and shapes and also qualify as one-of-a-kind items as there is never a certainty as to how the final piece will turn out and less control over the outcome. A perfect vintage gift for the person born in the year of the Sheep (hitsuji),  representing the years 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, 1931, 1919, and 1907. Originally rake ware was created for the tea ceremony, in the form of tea bowls but contemporary artists began to create many other types of this form of pottery. 

Condition: Excellent, meaning each piece is perfect. No chips, cracks, breaks, or missing pieces, and retains its original details and finish as the artist intended. The piece meets all the standards of collectible Raku pottery.