Jeff
          Margolin sculptures at Saper Galleries
Jeff Margolin sculptures
        at Saper Galleries

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New to Saper Galleries is our discovery of California artist Jeff Margolin. 

In the examples below, Jeff's unique ceramics stand out in contrast to so many of the "expected" ceramics being produced today.  His vessels and sculptures are of low-fired clay that is burnished, smoked and unglazed.  They are intricate with the detailed incising and constructed elements and will stand out beautifully on a coffee table, office desk, dining room, pedestal or bathroom vanity.  A very unique gift idea, too!  

Please contact us for additional information and to confirm availability. 

Saper Galleries ships worldwide.
Roy Saper with
                    Jeff Margolin
Gallery owner Roy Saper with artist Jeff Margolin in early 2014.

Ruins ceramic by
                    Jeff Margolin
Jeff Margolin
                    ceramic ruins vessel
Ruins -- Sculpted Pot with Small Carved Blocks
Unglazed sculpted ceramic vessel
9" tall, 14" diameter

Sorry, sold for $500
But would you like the artist to make a variation for you?  Let us know!

Jeff Margolin small blocks vessel
Jeff Margolin small blocks vessel
Vessel with large carved blocks at top
Unglazed sculpted ceramic vessel
8 1/2" tall, 10" wide

Sorry, sold for $280

Jeff Margolin pot with lid
Jeff Margolin pot with lid detail
Covered Jar with Carved Detail
Unglazed sculpted ceramic vessel
11 1/2" tall, 10 1/2" diameter

Sorry, sold for $400

Pot with curved blocks
Wide vessel with curved blocks at top
Unglazed sculpted ceramic vessel
8" tall, 8 1/2" wide

Sorry, sold for $260


Detail
Wide vessel with curved blocks at top
Detail view
Tall vase with green design
Tall vessel with green design
Unglazed sculpted ceramic vessel
11" tall, 8 1/2" wide

Sorry, sold for $260


Detail
Tall vessel with green design
Detail of carving
Pot with star design
Vessel with green stars design
Unglazed sculpted ceramic vessel
7 1/2" tall, 9" wide

Sorry, sold for $260

Detail
Vessel with green stars design
Detail of carving
Terra cotta colored design
Wide vessel with terra cotta floral design
Unglazed sculpted ceramic vessel
8 1/2" tall, 10 1/2" wide

Sorry, sold for $260


Detail
Wide vessel with terra cotta floral design
Detail of carving
Carved
                      Vessel
Carved Vessel with Detail
Unglazed sculpted ceramic vessel
18" tall, 9 1/2" wide

$500

Detail
Carved Vessel
Detail
Red Disc
Red Disc with Detail
Unglazed sculpted ceramic vessel
9" tall, 10" wide

$260

Detail
Red Disc
Detail
Sculpture with Spinner
Sculpture with Spinner
Unglazed ceramic sculpture
with spinning Mobius strip-like interior element.
25 1/2" tall, 18" wide, 3" deep.
The center spinning component is 7" tall.

$1,150

Spinner
                      detail  Spinner
                      detail
Spinner
                      detail  Spinner
                      detail
Sculpture with Spinner
Detail of center element views
Carved disc
Disc with Detail
Unglazed sculpted ceramic vessel
9" tall, 10 1/2" wide

Sorry, sold for $260

Detail
Disc
Detail
Disk
                      with Arrows
 Disc Vessel with Arrows
Unglazed sculpted ceramic
8 1/2" tall, 9 1/2" wide, 2 1/2" deep

  Sorry, sold

Red Pot with Blocks
Red Pot with Blocks
Unglazed sculpted ceramic pot
12 1/2" in each dimension
  Sorry, sold

Sculpture
Sculpture with Carved Detail
Unglazed sculpted ceramic
23" tall, 12" wide

Sorry, sold for $600

Covered Jar
Covered Jar with Carved Detail
Unglazed sculpted ceramic vessel
15" tall, 14" diameter

Sorry, sold for $700
Vertical
                      Disc
Vertical Disc with Detail
Unglazed sculpted ceramic vessel
11 1/2" tall, 7" wide

Sorry, sold for $260
Sculpted pot with blocks
Sculpted Pot with Blocks
Unglazed sculpted ceramic vessel
10 1/2" tall, 14" diameter

Sorry, sold for $500

Jeff Margolin

Jeff Margolin is an artist, a sculptor. He also has been an instructor of ceramic techniques at M.I.T. He works primarily with porcelain clay, a material that he molds by hand. He forms the clay into 3" horizontal strips, which corresponds directly to precise measurements and detail drawings that he creates as blueprints. The piece is actually built by placing these measured horizontal strips on top of each other, edge to edge. Because of the fragility of the porcelain, and the high tendency for damage given even the smallest of cracks, Margolin painstakingly attaches the strips of clay while reinforcing them, making sure they are securely fitted together. Only when a strip is dried can the next be put on. Because Margolin must wait for a piece to dry before attaching another, he is able to work with several sculptures at a time. It is important to note that the strips can only be placed on in increments of three to four a day. Similarly, depending on the size of the particular sculpture, the building process of the individual form alone can take the better part of a week. Once the clay has been built and reinforced, Margolin begins carving a unique design out of the dampened, sculptured form.

At this point in the process, the sculpture is set aside to properly dry out. Any moisture left within it will cause cracking and severe damage when fired. Margolin takes the dried, hardened piece and completely scrapes it, then thoroughly sands it down to ensure the surface is uniform and free of imperfections. It is at this time that Margolin begins his burnishing process.

Often, ceramics and other pieces of sculpture are treated with a type of glaze to produce a glorious sheen effect. Margolin achieves his shine through burnishing or rubbing the surface of the sculpture with a small quartz stone. Interestingly enough, before Margolin can burnish, he applies a thin coat of vegetable oil to the sculpture. Once the oil disturbs the molecules of the clay, Margolin rubs the surface with the stone in continuous ovals. After he treats the entire surface of the sculpture in this manner, he lets it dry and then repeats the burnishing process once more.

Most of Margolin pieces are about transition and contrast-about juxtaposing the gentle curve of a vase with a top crackling with interlocking cubes, or inviting ovals that open to rough abrasive interiors resembling coral.

Margolin adds some intriguing touches to the porcelain shell. The pieces are built up with coils, just like traditional ceramic ware, then smoothed and carved. During the firing though Margolin tosses sawdust on the hot surfaces and drapes strands of human or horse hair on them, which leaves behind charred freckles and delicate squiggles.

Lately he's begun to add a hint of color to the carved areas, just a splash of pink or green-gray.

Please enjoy the new work of one of America's best and most innovative of ceramic artists here at Saper Galleries!


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