Red clay underneath, white slip over the top, and no attempt to hide either. Slip is liquid clay brushed or poured over the body before firing, and here it is used for contrast rather than cover, so the warm red shows through at the edges and gives the piece its whole rhythm. A tiny vase that does not feel slight: a very small piece of studio pottery that got everything it needed and nothing extra.

The base is signed Minka Veal. We haven't traced the potter, so the name stays open. We'll note one nice coincidence: a Minka of the same name moved through Melbourne's mid-century art world, and it is almost certainly just that, a coincidence, but we like wondering. If anything solid surfaces, we'll add it.