John Moakley Mottled Purple Sculptural Bud Vase mahogony Ranavalo (former Queen of Madagascar)

Ranavalo (former Queen of Madagascar)

I first grabbed this lovely wooden box for its great shape and dovetailed corners

super evocative

the likeness of which I have seen described as an apothecary mortar for preparing herbs and as a measuring cup

all over big gray spots

John Moakley Mottled Purple Sculptural Bud Vase mahogony Ranavalo (former Queen of Madagascar)This lovely sculptural small vase is by the late master pottery John C. Moakley (1931 2002) of Middleboro, Massachusetts. Widely exhibited and collected, and especially known for his vases, Moakley's work is included in museum collections including that of American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA). This stoneware vase was hand thrown then pressed on four sides to give it a faceted yet still very organic form. The glazing is a mottling of soft lavender