My father-in-law was an avid Chinese snuff bottle collector. At its peak, his collection numbered more than 500 bottles that were handmade by unknown artisans out of jade, ivory, glass and stone. Some were ornately carved, whereas others were plain, allowing the observer to see the distinctive shape and innate color of the material from which the bottle was carved.

I recently encountered the artistic creations of Keiko Coghlin, an Atlanta-based ceramist. I am inspired by the simplicity and grace of her altered bottle forms as well as the textured finish her unique glazing technique provides.

This sculpture is created in homage to both individuals. It has the somewhat altered shape of a snuff bottle with visual texturing provided by the fossils entrapped in the reddish-brown limestone matrix.