One of the most recognizable forms in Lucie Rie's oeuvre are her spiral vessels. These vessels are distinct for their elegant swirl which wraps around the vase or bowl moving across the surface, creating a sense of dynamic movement and flow. To achieve this effect, Rie would take two different types of clay and press the two halves together to create a mound on the wheel. As she began pulling the clay upwards as the wheel spun, the two clays would mix and spiral up the vessel. While this method existed before her, Rie was the first contemporary potter to champion this technique and use it to achieve such a graceful effect.
Not only does this method demonstrate Rie’s eye for subtle decoration which feels inherent to the vessel rather than a later adornment, but it exemplifies Rie's precise control of the wheel. Throwing two types of clay can pose great difficulty as the clays may have differing levels of coarseness, malleability, and generally require different handling. It took a master at the wheel to keep the delicate balance between the different materials. Additionally, Rie employed this method to demonstrate her deep knowledge of glazes. After the vessel was thrown, a single glaze was applied to the vessel. However, due to different materials in each clay, the glaze would react differently producing brightly colored swirls. The swirl of color is not merely decorative but also emphasizes the form and structure of the vessel, guiding the viewer’s eye along its contours. These spiral designs reflect Rie's ability to blend traditional techniques with modern aesthetics, resulting in pieces that are both ancient and modern. The present vase exemplifies this technique with a mix of three clay bodies creating an integral spiral of pink, turquoise, and grey as the different clays react with the glaze.
