Theo van Doesburg's geometric compositions provided the blueprint for this lamp's complex surface treatment. The Dutch De Stijl artist's sketch becomes a three-dimensional exploration through mishima technique, where carved lines are filled with contrasting clay to create permanent linear drawings within the ceramic surface.
 
The lamp represents an early experiment in controlling multiple glazes within a single piece. Different colored glazes pool in carefully defined areas, creating a patchwork of surfaces that shift between matte and glossy, warm and cool. The mishima lines act as both compositional elements and practical boundaries, preventing glazes from flowing into each other while maintaining van Doesburg's geometric rigor.
 
The challenge lies in translating a two-dimensional composition onto the rectangular ceramic form. Van Doesburg's abstract language of intersecting lines and color blocks wraps around the lamp base, creating different readings from each viewing angle. The vintage industrial hardware—exposed bulb and brass fittings—connects the piece to the machine-age aesthetics that influenced De Stijl artists.
 
This lamp bridges the gap between fine art reference and functional object, demonstrating how early modernist visual strategies can find new life in contemporary ceramic practice. The controlled chaos of multiple glazes contained within geometric boundaries captures something essential about De Stijl's ambition to bring abstract art into everyday life.
 
This lamp can be made with any of the glazes shown in the glaze samples photo in this post.
 
Prototype Base dims: 11.5" high by 5" wide by 3" deep
 
Production Model Base dims: 11.5" high by 5" wide by 5" deep
Height to top of socket: 14.5”
 
Glazed & unglazed stoneware.
Table Lamp with hand-crafted and hand-painted ceramic base, USA.
 
Socket for E26 bulb in top half and wifi-controlled G9 bulb (G9 Smart Light Bulb, Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, Color Changing Smart Led Bulbs, Dimmable and Tunable) in the lower half.