A wonderful example of vintage Nemadji Pottery, this generously rounded vase showcases the instantly recognizable, free-flowing marbled decoration for which the Minnesota maker became famous. Creamy ivory, warm terracotta, coral-red and subtle earthy tones sweep across the surface in sinuous ribbons, creating an almost abstract, landscape-like effect—no two pieces were ever quite alike.
Nemadji Pottery originated in Moose Lake, Minnesota, with production of its distinctive marbled wares beginning in 1929. The pieces were made from Minnesota clay and decorated using a fascinating dipping process: coloured paints were floated on water and the bisque-fired pottery was carefully dipped and swirled through the surface, producing the characteristic veined patterns. 
The name Nemadji comes from an Ojibwe word meaning “left-handed,” referring to the Nemadji River in the Moose Lake region, there was no Nemadji tribe producing the pottery. Today, Nemadji is appreciated in its own right as an intriguing chapter in 20th-century American decorative arts. 
This particular example has a wonderfully organic low, bulbous form and broad opening, with the warm red and salmon-coloured marbling particularly striking against the pale clay body. Its earthy palette would look equally at home in a vintage, Scandinavian, Southwestern or contemporary interior.
5 1/2” diam x 4” tall