(24489) Aiba Koyo (Tokoname) - Green Crystal Oribe Oval - 13in (33cm)

Informal information:

A super oval by Koyo with his classic green crystal glaze. The crystals on the front almost look luminous, this is due to some cleaning of the patina on the front, it's a clever effect. The crystal are almost perfectly arranged, it's a lovely example. Typical black slip inside and underneath provide contrast with the glaze, I'm guessing this pot was made in the 1970's-80's, whilst these pots were made in large numbers, nice examples are getting harder to find.

Please look carefully at the photos. You can see what looks like orange peel or bubbling on one side particularly. This happens during firing when an area has either not reached maximum temperature, not stayed at top temperature long enough or cooled too quickly. So it's a manufacturing deviation, it has no effect on the pots function, it's purely aesthetic, but I want any potential purchaser to be aware. Personally, I don't mind it, pots are handmade, and the front is gorgeous.

Therre is also a glaze crack, this is not a body crack. If it was all over the pot it would be a "crackle glaze". Glazes do not always 'fit' the clay ideally, and glaze cracks occur over time on many pots. I guarantee (money back) against this being a crack of any significance.

Regardless of minor imperfections, this is a beautiful pot, the like of which are not readily available.

Koyo, Mr. Aiba Kouichirou, born 1944, from a familiy of potters. He founded the Koyo kiln in the 1970's, his work always very popular. Perhaps his most famous glaze is the green crystal oribe, which changed over time and really gained it's own identity apart from the famous ones of Tofukuji and Ino Shukuho. His pots are reliable as well as great to look at.