ReCinder x Shem Morgan - Water Storage Vessel with Cinched Neck RC–01–1DS

The Water Storage Vessel with Cinched Neck reinterprets the proportions of ancient utilitarian vessels in ReCinder, drawing on Roman ceramic sherds dating approximately from AD 40–150 and discovered in Highgate Wood. Handmade by London-based sculptor and ceramicist Shem Morgan, the vessel is defined by a wide base and rounded belly rising into a smooth, cinched neck. Its rough lower body contrasts with the more refined upper surface, translating the functional language of historical storage vessels into a distinctly contemporary object. The exterior is burnished by hand using a smooth river stone, compressing and smoothing selected areas of the surface while allowing ReCinder’s distinctive sandstone-like character to remain visible. Natural inclusions and subtle variations create further texture across the vessel, making each piece individual and inherently collectable. The interior is glazed, creating a deliberate contrast with the predominantly exposed exterior while providing a functional inner surface. Together, the glaze and burnished finish allow the material to perform as a functional vessel without concealing the texture, inclusions and character of ReCinder. Part of The Highgate Collection, the water vessel is made in Highgate from ReCinder produced using ceramic waste also sourced from studios in Highgate – creating an ultra-local connection between material, maker and place.