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Black Pot by David Ellsworth / American Art
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Black Pot

1994 David Ellsworth Born: Iowa City, Iowa 1944 white ash 14 1/8 x 13 1/2 in. (35.9 x 34.3 cm) diam. Smithsonian American Art Museum Gift of Jane and Arthur K. Mason on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Renwick Gallery 1996.98.2 Not currently on view



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Black Pot



"It has been my desire to push the technique of lathe turning beyond its traditional limits, to elevate the concepts of the wooden 'bowl' to that of the wooden 'vessel.'" David Ellsworth, 1999


David Ellsworth developed a series of bent turning tools that allowed him to work from a very small opening. He produces huge vessels with walls as thin as 1/16 of an inch that are incredibly light and fragile. The narrow opening prevents him from seeing inside while turning, so Ellsworth uses only the sound of his tools to determine how much he has gouged from inside the form.

For more information about this work visit the Luce Foundation Center.


Keywords

decorative arts

Crafts - Wood

wood - ash

About David Ellsworth

Born: Iowa City, Iowa 1944

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David Ellsworth

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