Vintage ceramic ‘Hummingbird’ pot, no. 5-82, potted by Leigh Smith, Talking Earth Pottery, circa 1981.
MARKINGS: inscribed on base, “5-82 / 1981 / Nature’s Beauty / Talking / Earth / by Leigh”
DIMENSIONS: 5 ¾” high x 5 ½” diameter
WEIGHT: 1 lbs. 10.3 oz.
DESCRIPTION: Made of white clay the bulbous vase is slip glazed then finely detailed in the sgraffito technique. A stylized geometric design of symbolic details repeats around the upper belly between a dotted and wavy border and below the primary neck decoration. Around the neck is a concentric band of two hummingbirds feeding out of flowers.
NOTES: A co-founder and co-owner of Talking Earth Pottery, with her husband Steve Smith, Leigh has made pieces for Roberta Bondar, Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, as well as for many other commissions and collectors. The Smiths are a distinguished family of potters, the late Elda and Oliver Smith’s work was also commissioned for many dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth II.
CONDITION: Excellent Vintage Condition – no damage, no restoration.
