Bronze Sculpture Artist with Sacred Vessels & Art in Boulder CO

Sacred Bronze Vessels
Tom Cannon Art
Commissions are considered,
sold bronzes can be re-ordered

                      I consider Spirit Bridge to be my signature bronze vessel. I intended it to represent a bridge between the physical world and the realm of Spirit or the Divine. The arch is a stylistic representation of the torii, or gate present at all Japanese Shinto shrines and is a designation of sacred space. The torii serves as an entrance to the shrine compound and it is a physical reminder that one is leaving the mundane and entering sacred space. I have since come to realize that Spirit Bridge is also a metaphor for my work as a bridge between the West and the East. The vessel has been richly decorated with several patinas. I have used red on part of the torii, which is the color of veneration. I have also polished off patina from parts of Spirit Bridge, exposing the bright bronze and creating highlights of color. It was also my intention that the process would have Spirit Bridge appear weathered by age. My seal, which I had made for me in Kyoto is on top and has also been polished, exposing bright bronze color. H. 17" x W. 17.5" x D. 11"
                               $6000

Dawn of Peace, Cast Bronze Vessel, 16.5" H. x 19" W. x 13'" D.

The arch of Dawn of Peace, is highly textured and is decorated with numerous patinas. The splash of bright orange and red on this bronze art vessel was inspired by the reflection of the morning sun on the Rocky Mountains that I see from my studio in Boulder, Colorado. It is my hope that we will someday enjoy a true Dawn of Peace!

Sold $6200

Lightning Spirit, Cast Bronze, 17' H. x 18' W. x 12' D.

Two bolts of lightning have been cut from the highly polished arch of Lightning Spirit and finished with a golden patina to represent the heat and brightness of lightning striking across a Southwest sky. The colors cool as they reach Earth. If you look closely, you will notice raindrops on the top of the arch, indicating the leading edge of the storm. I invite you to visualize being in the high desert of the American SW during a summer storm and seeing lightning dancing above butte! Let Lightning Spirit help you imagine the smell of fresh sage and feel the excitement of Native Americans timelessly dancing to invoke rain.

$4800

Fukai, fine art bronze; 14" H. x 18" W. x 12" D.
Fukai is the Japanese word for deep. I have chosen that title to describe the deep, textural quality of the patina, which was created to give the vessel the appearance of possibly having been hidden away deep within a tomb for several millenniums.
$7500

Joy, fine art cast bronze vessel; 12" H. x 16" W. x 10" D.

I named this vessel Joy to express the way I felt while creating it. I believe it expresses the joy I feel during the process of creation. The vessel has been finished with various patinas to create the colors of the raku-fired original . On the right wing is the Japanese character for beauty. On the back side is a small version of my personal stamp and on the bottom of the inside is my stamp.
$3000

Emperor's Choice, Cast Bronze, 16" H. x15" W. x 10.5" D.

   Emperor's Choice has four Chinese characters along the face of the arch. From the bottom left is “Love.” The next one is “Peace.” At the top of the arch is “Harmony.” On the bottom right side is "Beauty." When I created this bronze vessel, I thought it would be inspiring if we had leaders, who embodied these qualities! Wouldn’t that be the dawn of a new age? We don't have to wait for a leader's example. We can all choose to embody more of these attributes in our lives. Invite Emperor's Choice into your sacred space and let it remind you to be guided by Love, Peace, Harmony, and Beauty! When I was creating this vessel, I saw a dragon emerging from the arch, which coincidentally was a symbol for the emperor in China, and also as a protector of Buddhism in other Asian cultures. My stamp, Tomu, the phonetic reading of Tom in Japanese, is on the bottom of the base.

                                      $4000

Harmony, Cast Bronze Vessel, 10" H. x 10" W. x 8'"D.

      I have named this fine art bronze vessel Harmony, for the Chinese character on the front. It also has "Love," and "Beauty" on the other two sides. The exterior is decorated with a complex, yet subtle, patina. The interior has been highly polished and finished with a golden patina. My stamp is on the inside on the bottom. The arch is richly textured.While Harmony sits firmly on a tripartite base, the three feet also elevate the vessel, giving it a sense of ceremony and further enhancing its elegance.

                                  $2100

Eternal Life, Cast Bronze,14.5" H. x 11.5"W. x 8.5" D.

I have named this museum quality, fine art bronze vessel Eternal Life. The arch is my stylized interpretation of the torii or sacred gate present at all Shinto shrines. My personal stamp, "Tomu" (Ceramic Dreams) is on the top of the lid. On the main portion of the vessel I have carved two embracing trees. The patina has rich umber hues, that contrast with the white titanium in the outline of the trees. The base has been carved into a tripartite pattern, that elevates the vessel and enhancing its elegance.
$3000

Bronze Bodhi Tree, Cast Bronze,13" H. x 10" W. x 10" D.

Jomon Rose, Cast Bronze Vessel, 14.5" H. x 10.5" W. x 9.75" D.

Bronze Bodhi Tree is my representation of the tree that Buddha sat under while attaining enlightenment. He vowed never to arise until he found the truth. After 49 days of meditating, he is said to have achieved perfect peace of mind, free from ignorance, greed, hatred and other defilements. Please imagine Buddha sitting, protected by the enfolding boughs of the Bodhi Tree, as this sacred bronze helps create a personal refuge of serenity in your home or place of business. I was inspired to create Bronze Bodhi Tree while participating in a ten day meditation retreat. The design of the tree was hand carved, with meta (loving kindness) making this vessel one of a kind.

$3500

   Jomon Rose

      Jomon refers to the oldest pottery in the world, dating back to over 12,000 years ago to various sites in Japan. Jomon means "rope-patterned." The surface of this ancient pottery was ornately decorated with designs made by impressing rope into the clay before it was fired. Rims of pots were complex and decorated. I named this bronze vessel Jomon Rose because of the similarities with the ancient style of pottery and to celebrate the organic qualities of this vessel, which also appears to be blossoming like a rose. Numerous patinas have been applied. The red folds over the rim, into the interior to emphasize the flowing, organic quality of Jomon Rose. The surface has been intricately decorated with impressed designs and highlights were accentuated by buffing off patina, revealing the bronze.

                                               $2800

Ruby Treasure, Cast Bronze Vessel, 7" H. x 8.5" W. x 8.5" D.

Ruby Treasure has been finished with a luscious, hot red patina that heightens and emphasizes the movement of the undulating rim and the three bold diagonals that rise to pinnacles along the top of this fine art bronze.The interior is highly polished and has a golden patina.

$1695

Celadon Bronze, 7" H. x 8.5" W. x 8.5" D.

Celadon is a jade like glaze that the Chinese developed for their porcelains over a thousand years ago (and they were fired in wood-fired kilns, which is even more amazing). It has a quiet refined elegance. I have named this classically beautiful vessel Celadon Bronze. The exterior is enhanced with three Chinese characters, which designate "Harmony," 'Beauty," and "Love." These attributes are timeless - a legacy for generations to come! This vessel has been sold, but it is possible to commission another one.
Sold $1895

"BI," (Beauty) 5.5" H. x 8.25" W. x 8.75" D.

I have named this lovely blue bronze vessel "Bi," for the Japanese pronunciation of the character on the front which means beauty. There are two more characters adorning the vessel: "Love," and "Spirit," which have been polished along with the undulating rim, the foot, and the two ascending accent lines to reveal the bronze color. A warm golden patina was chosen for the interior to complement the variegated blue on the exterior of "Bi,"
$1250

"Hei-Wa" (Peace and Harmony) 5.5" H. x 8.25" W. x 8.75" D.

   "Hei-WA," (Peace and Harmony) is the same common description of the Japanese post-war constitution famous for the renunciation of the right to wage war. The two characters are cut into the sides of this bronze vessel, that has a blue variegated patina on the exterior and a golden patina on the interior. The rim and foot had the patina polished away to reveal the natural bronze color. Bring "Hei-Wa," to where you live.

                                              Sold     $1250

Golden Harmony, fine art cast bronze vessel, 9.5" H. x 10" W. x 6" D.

_ I have titled this bronze vessel Golden Harmony for the colors of the rich patina and for the character on top of the arch which means harmony in Japanese. It is one of my smaller bronze vessels. If limited space is a consideration, the compact size of this vessel is ideal. Discerning collectors will appreciate the quality and subtle details of this fine art bronze vessel. Let Golden Harmony inspire you with its richness of colors and refined elegance as it imbues your home with feelings of harmony!

$1680

Sunset on the Stupa, fine art cast bronze vessel 9.5" H. x 8.5" W. x 8.5" D.

Noble Silence, fine art cast bronze vessel, 9.5" H. x 10" W. x 6" D.

I felt moved to title this bronze Noble Silence. It refers to the practice during a Vipassana meditation retreat of refraining from talking or communicating with others, which helps quiet the chatter in one's head. I believe all of my vessels can be better appreciated by taking the time to quietly observe them. This bronze in particular rewards the viewer, who observes it in this way by revealing more of its understated beauty like the white traces of titanium in the body and the golden variegation of color in the arch. Bring Noble Silence into your home and let it encourage you to be present with beauty.
$1450

         Sunset on the Stupa has a dynamic patina. It begins with gold along the bottom and transitions to red along the middle, crosses over the undulating rim, onto the top and culiminates with gold again on the finial like the top of a stupa in Myanmar, dazzling as it catches the rays of the sun.
                                       $2800

Aegean Chalice, cast bronze, 8" H. x 12.5" W. x 13" D.

Ancient Wisdom, 5.5" H. x 8.5" W. x 9.25" D.

Three Wishes, cast bronze vessel 6" H. x 9.25" W. x 9.5" D.

       I was inspired to create Aegean Chalice after studying collections of ancient Chinese bronzes. Although the reference was from ancient China, I was inspired to name this vessel Aegean Chalice to indicate that my work transcends cultures and is timeless. Perhaps I imagined Odysseus bringing a treasure like this back from Troy. My stamp, Tomu, which is the Japanese pronunciation of my name, is on the underside of this vessel.

                                    $2895

     The polished rim of Ancient Wisdom is like the path in a Chinese ink painting of a mountain scene and the sages who inhabit that landscape. Your eye follows the path as it turns and meanders, disappearing around the bend of a mountain, or through a forest and then re-appearing. Such is the journey the rim of Ancient Wisdom will take you on - through valleys and up and over peaks, and around each of the three sides with different impressed designs that have dashes of ocher and polished highlights. The interior has a golden patina and my stamp is on the bottom.

              $1095

Three Wishes generously bestows the blessings of "Harmony," (front view) "Peace" and "Spirit" with three Chinese characters polished and in relief along the sides of this vessel. There is a red patina along the top portion of the vessel. The bottom is an earthy variegated brown, and the vessel sets on a stable base of three feet. The undulating rim has been impressed with a design. The interior has been polished and finished with a golden patina and has my stamp at the bottom.
                                        $1650

Jade Treasure
$3800 - SOLD
email to: tom@tomcannonart.com