Fantastic studio pottery covered vegetable steaming pot, by Tennessee potter Paul Menchhofer. Menchhofer studied under Charles Counts and worked with Michael Cardew - please see his website for more info. He's been making pots since the 1970s and is still turning out new work. I believe this might be one of his newer style pieces, but unsure. It's a great looking covered casserole form, with incised leaf decoration in mottled blue on brown on exterior, rich mottled blue glaze on interiors, rims are unglazed. Decoration reminded us a bit of David Stewart studio work. The bottom portion has a hole built into the center - have been told this was designed for steaming vegetables, you would place it on top of a pot of boiling water. Signed fully on bottom of piece.

Good vintage condition, with no cracks or chips. Maybe some slight wear, but the stoneware is a little rough by nature so difficult to tell. I think there may be one slight flake on rim, but difficult to tell if not manufacturing.

About 11 1/4" widest, 6" tall. Very heavy at almost 5 1/2" pounds - will likely be shipped in a 14x14x14" cube.