Pottery is back in a big way. The ancient craft has been firing up collectors and hobbyists all over the world lately; it seems like everyone’s now itching to decorate their home with the newest ceramic object or to jump in front of the wheel to have a go themselves. And for good reason— ceramics hit the sweet spot between practicality and beauty, frequently described as “functional art.” Truly beautiful ceramic dishware, tableware, and lighting can colour your daily routine with an intriguing splash of character. Each ceramic object is also unique, with tangible passion, care, and individuality that can be felt in its texture and particularities. With new studios and marketplaces constantly opening up across cities worldwide, navigating the world of pottery can be intimidating if you aren’t sure where to look; so, we’ve collected some of the most eye-catching ceramics in this helpful shopping guide.
Lambshead Studio Bodega Bags, $55.
The Toronto-based Lambshead Studio aspires to create ceramic objects that entice both minimalists and maximalists alike; in practice, this means that their work is the type that can make an environment playful in subtle ways. Their Bodega Bags, small vases sculpted to resemble iconic New York City plastic bag designs, are a great example of this. With different finishes offering you the choice of your favourite corner store receptacle, the bags can fit succulents, keys, or odds and ends—or just function as cute decor on a shelf or tabletop.
TAV Ceramics Monolith Vase, from, $355.
TAV Ceramics was founded by Tanvi Arora, who worked as an interior designer in Dubai until she moved to Vancouver and switched gears. Her work in ceramics, which she says is informed by her multicultural upbringing, has a beautiful simplicity to it that makes it feel at once timeless and boldly contemporary. The studio’s gorgeous Monolith Vase is uncomplicated, consisting of a tube with a ridge wrapped around it; and yet the severity of its form draws the eye compulsively.
Stainsby Studios Match Striker, $52.
Ceramics aren’t just pretty to look at; many are also deeply functional, as is demonstrated by Stainsby Studios’ Match Striker. The glossy blue-and-black handmade object is designed to hold many matches in its basin and has a handy rim for placing the used matches. Its underside is affixed with a special material so that it can be used for striking matches. A perfect item to accentuate the homely ritual of lighting a candle to relax.
Common Goods Pottery Gunmetal Molten Vase, $65.
Though the vases appear to be melting apart, Common Goods Pottery assures you that they remain water-tight, and thus perfect for holding fresh flowers. The vases fold over themselves at the bottom as though they’ve succumbed to the sun on a summer’s day, only accentuating the hot-metal feeling of the obsidian-black shiny finish. A unique way to display a bouquet that introduces an element of surprise into any living space it’s displayed within.
AND Ceramics LYRA Pendant, $520.
The art of pottery may have been around for tens of thousands of years, but it can nonetheless produce creations that are sharply modern in sensibility. AND Ceramics’ warmly contemporary LYRA pendant is composed of three rounded pieces stacked together, the contrasting sizes and hues emanating an air of easy delight. It’s sleek and sculptural without being pretentious, thus capable of making a living space feel more comfortable and friendly.
Ateleï Ceramic L’Assiette en Goutte, Ateleï, $28.
Its name specifying a teardrop-or-raindrop-shaped plate, Montreal studio Ateleï Ceramic’s L’Assiette en Goutte is a stunning example of how to delicately tweak established forms. The plates, which have a grainy, natural look and come in multiple sizes and tones, are stretched out minutely at one end to create a droplet-esque shape. This slight variation upsets our ingrained understanding of what a plate is supposed to look like, injecting an elusiveness into the experience of eating.
Harlie Brown Studio Blue Smoke Wave Bowl, 180 GBP.
Some ceramicists aren’t looking to create subtle works; they overwrite our expectations entirely with extreme designs that demand attention. Harlie Brown Studio’s Wave Bowl is a joyously luxurious item, its chaotic waves and the medley of its colours making it look more like some kind of undersea flora than a tabletop vessel. Though prioritizing art over functionality doesn’t always make sense, here it certainly paid off.
Michelle Mendlowitz Asymmetric Bowl, $250.
Toronto’s Michelle Mendlowitz is both a sculptor and a functional ceramicist—and her work often blurs the lines between the two categories, or disputes the notion that there is any difference at all. Like in many of her other pieces, the Asymmetric Bowl uses layers upon layers of glazes to create a dripping effect; giving the appearance of aesthetic overflow, a maximalist symphony of colours and texture. Psychedelic, opulent hues mix brilliantly on the surface of this art piece that can also be used for everyday purposes.
Elizabeth Salonen Beak Carafe, $155.
The Beak Carafe is multi-functional; it can be used to serve cool lemonade or hot coffee, or to display fresh flowers. Its simple design carries abundant personality: its mouth is stretched out into a dramatic spout, with such sharpness that it looks like the beak of a bird. When noticed, this small, expertly applied detail turns an unostentatious carafe into an object with a veneer of mystery. The Nordic influences of Canadian-born, Finland-based designer Elizabeth Salonen are apparent in this appreciation for the deceptively simple.
Omelet Trees Studio Dimple Cup, $37.
These tiny cups from Singapore’s Omelet Trees Studio are, like every cup, designed to be held. But with the Dimple Cup, it might be a bit more obvious how exactly it wants to be held. Each cup has a small indentation on its side, guiding your thumb to it as you pick the vessel up. The languorous softness of the groove is enhanced by the pastel colours that the cups come in; pillowy pink, purple, blue or green.