Cobalt Flower Vase, White-Slip Terracotta

A handmade terracotta single-stem vase brushed in white slip, with hand-painted cobalt blue flowers on front and back.

The making: Slab-built in our garden shed in Scotland from rustic terracotta clay — rolled out, cut to shape, joined with slip and hand-shaped before a first firing. The exterior is brushed with a white slip while the flowers are hand-painted in cobalt blue. The interior is glazed for water-tightness, and the cobalt flowers are spot-glazed for a glossy lift before the final firing. Each piece carries the maker’s mark on the base.

How it looks: The exterior reads as chalky matte white over the warm terracotta clay, with the cobalt blue flowers sitting glossy and slightly raised against the matte ground. Front and back of the vase carry the painted bloom, and the rim shows the bare terracotta where the slip stops.

Use it for:

• Holding a single tulip, ranunculus or wildflower on a windowsill
• Standing empty as a small painted sculpture on a bookshelf
• A bedside table with a stem of dried lavender
• A gift for someone who likes painted folk-style ceramics
• A small accent on a hallway console or studio desk

A considered gift for the friend who decorates around small, careful pieces — birthdays, housewarmings, or simply because.

Care: Hand wash with mild soap, wipe dry; avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive scourers.

Size:

• 26 cm tall x 9 cm wide
• Watertight interior
• Maker’s mark on the base
• Handmade — small variations are part of the character