Flat Earth Clay Works Vases by Michael Schlyer

Ceramic artist Michael Schlyer and his wife Joyce started Flat Earth Clay Works in 1984 in Wichita, Kansas. Michael earned his BFA and MFA degrees and has been a practicing potter for over 40 years. His pieces are in the permanent collections of Wichita Art Museum, the Corning Museum in New York, the Hutchinson Art Center, and Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Many of Michael's art pottery pieces, like this pair of large, heavy sculptural vases, have American Southwest themes, possibly inspired by his time in New Mexico at university. The shape of each vase reminds us of a barrel cactus, with the ruffled and molded upper portions representing the myriad shapes of the cacti flowers.

The body of each "cactus" is etched with zigzag shapes that mimic the lightning designs on Native American pottery and art. The glazes are varied and variegated, some of them ombré, some striated and some a solid block color, all particularly noticeable on the larger of the two pieces. As each piece is turned, a different view is presented.

The taller vase measures 13 1/4 inches high, has a base diameter of 5 inches and weighs 4 pounds, 11 ounces. The smaller vase weighs 4 pounds, 1 ounce and is 11 inches tall with the same base diameter. The dry bottom on the taller one is hand signed, etched into the white clay "Schlyer 99." Both are in excellent condition, with no cracks or chips or other damage. Each of them is a ceramic tour de force by a highly gifted artist.

>>>>Please note that white spots are simply a reflection from our lighting.

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