A rare and significant studio pottery sculpture of a hippopotamus by the renowned Dutch-American artist Loet Vanderveen (1921–2015). This substantial piece belongs to the artist's early "Big Sur Period" (circa 1960–1975), predating his transition to the high-volume bronze editions for which he became globally famous. Unlike his later numbered bronzes, his ceramic works were often unique studio explorations. This hippo showcases a sophisticated "reduced glaze" finish, a complex mottled texture of charcoal and earthy charcoal tones. This specific technique was a direct result of Vanderveen’s three-year private study under Fong Chow, the legendary Curator of Far Eastern Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. At nearly 15 inches wide, this is a large-scale example of his ceramic work. These pieces are increasingly rare, as a catastrophic studio fire in 1985 destroyed the majority of Vanderveen's ceramic inventory and original molds. Surviving ceramic pieces in this condition are highly prized by collectors of California Modernism and Mid-Century studio art. Hand-incised signature on the base. A museum-pedigree centerpiece for any high-end collection.