Harding Black (San Antonio, Texas, 1912-2004), blue bowl with incised motifs and popouts revealing contrasting underglaze, incised signature and date on the underside, 1959

height 2.5 in. x 8.25 in. diameter

Provenance: The estate of Celine and Warren Hunter (1904-1993), noted San Antonio, Texas artist; purchased from Harding Black by his student, Celine Hunter, and passed by family inheritance to the present owner

Harding Black was a renowned Texas ceramic artist, sculptor, painter, bricklayer, and teacher. His work with clay serves an an important bridge between early Texas and mid-century pottery. In 1933, Black was taught by Rudolph Staffel to make wheel-thrown pottery and began to teach children's ceramic classes at the Witte Museum. Black directed ceramic installation in a San Antonio reconstruction project sponsored by the National Youth Administration and the Works Progress Administration art program. Black became well-known for his research, innovations, and writings in the field of ceramics. Black's collection and archive are housed at Baylor University.