Ceramic Vase By Ettore Sotssas

Ettore Sottsass (1917–2007). Polychrome glazed ceramic. This ceramic vase exemplifies Ettore Sottsass's singular aesthetic, where geometry, colour and verticality combine to create a sculptural object that goes far beyond its utilitarian function. The form is organised according to an architectonic construction: a slender cylinder supports an inverted conical element, crowned by a brightly coloured circular top. This superimposition of simple, almost totem volumes reveals the artist's constant search for a refined formal grammar, punctuated by clear contrasts. The matt whiteness of the central shaft dialogues with the metallic areas and the coloured brilliance of the upper part, creating a visual game where neutral surface and chromatic accent are opposed. This tension between sobriety and brilliance is fully in line with Sottsass's approach, which explores the symbolism of primary forms while giving his pieces a profoundly sculptural presence. The vase expresses this desire to transform the domestic object into an almost ritual entity, heir to ancient architecture, modern totems and the radical design of the 1980s. It bears witness to a vision where ceramics become a field of experimentation, a space for dialogue between colour, geometry and material culture. This piece condenses the poetics of Ettore Sottsass: a design that is both spiritual and playful, where elementary forms acquire an unexpected expressive force.