This mid-century Italian pottery vase is a real stunner. It also feels a bit post-modern to me, like a nod to a grecian urn, or a frieze, with its brown squiggles--set against bright white and framed in mustard yellow--almost like abstracted figures marching around the perimeter of the vase. The hand-thrown and manipulated form is terrific too, with undulating sides giving it a great dynamism, different from every view. Really a terrific piece.

I found this at the estate sale of an artist and longtime art professor in Worchester, MA, who had a fantastic collection of iconic mid-century furniture, as well as an astounding, lavishly stocked studio. I am not certain of the artist as the only mark on the bottom is "1642 Italy" and I have not found its match. I believe it was produced for Bitossi Rosenthal Netter and likely dates to the 1960s/early 70s. 

7" tall x 5" widest diameter; 3 1/2" shortest diameter. Excellent vintage condition; no chips, cracks or visible flaws.