Takeichi Kawai Chrysanthemum Pattern Large Shallow Bowl

Ta keichi Kawai (1908-89) large shallow bowl, chrysanthemum pattern, 39.5 cm diameter. Provenance: Wellington, Centre Gallery, Takeichi Kawai & John Chappell exhibition, 1964 possibly cat no. 45. Takeic hi Ka wai (1 908-89) Takeichi Kawai visited New Zealand from 13 March to 16 April 1964, sponsered by the New Zealand Society of Potters. Kawai had originally planned to tour Australia and New Zealand in February and March 1964 with his friend and fellow potter John Chappell, with Chappell introducing him to the Western world, as he had previously only travelled in China. However Chappell was tragically killed in a road accident in Sydney February 1964. Despite this Kawai continued his visit to New Zealand as planned giving demonstrations of pot making and brush work. It was in one of these group classes that David met Kawai. Regardless of his lack of English, his natural warmth surmounted any barriers and he made a wide circle of friends. He brought with him a very fine exhibition which was shown at the Centre Gallery, Wellington in conjunction with pots by John Chappell. It was in this exhibition David purchased the following four examples of Kawai?s art. Part of this exhibition was held back to be shown in Auckland and the prices realised, though comparatively low for his homeland, were the highest ever paid for pots here in New Zealand.