Ceramic Mantle Set

Lorraine Ray Formato

"Ceramic Mantle Set"

Earthenware Clay - colbalte, and white glaze 
This small-scale ceramic set by Lorraine Formato features cohesive, organically shaped forms finished in her signature earthy clay tones and flowing blue glazes.

Each piece is unique, yet together they create a harmonious composition—perfect for adding a touch of artistry to any space.

These versatile sculptures can be arranged on a desk, bookshelf, coffee table, or mantel, where they serve as both decorative accents and functional paperweights. Their tactile surfaces and compact size make them easy to move and reconfigure, allowing you to create fresh arrangements throughout the year.

Display as a clustered group or individually placed around a room, this set brings the quiet beauty of handmade craftsmanship into your home.

Born one of eight children on a tobacco farm in Stokes County, North Carolina, Lorraine Formato grew up with the resourcefulness and creativity that come from rural life. An avid reader, she educated herself through books, cultivating a deep intellectual curiosity that would shape her life as an artist. Her path led her to the legendary Black Mountain College, where she immersed herself in an environment that celebrated experimentation and craft.

In the decades that followed, Lorraine became a pivotal figure in the revitalization of the River Arts District in West Asheville, helping transform it into a thriving hub for artists and makers. For more than forty years, she has created pottery that reflects her life as a woman in the south, her history, and sufferings—organic forms, rich earthy glazes, and the quiet poetry of hand-shaped clay. Each piece is designed to be both beautiful and functional, carrying forward a legacy of craftsmanship, community, and the enduring human connection to handmade work.