On the occasion of the artist's death in 2024, this work was displayed with this label:

Frederika Ernsten was a beloved figure in Aotearoa New Zealand’s pottery community. A mentor and teacher to many for over five decades, she moved from the Netherlands to Ōtautahi Christchurch in 1960, where attending night classes run by Michael Trumic ignited what became a lifelong passion for pottery. In 1967, Ernsten co-founded Studio 393, a local hub that contributed to the flourishing of local pottery and crafts. She became known for her glazed stoneware pieces, celebrated for their subtle, distinctive glazes that often reflected the textures and muted tones of the New Zealand landscape.  

Ernsten was a dedicated teacher, both formally and informally, throughout her life. As well as teaching at many local pottery clubs, she was a past president of the Canterbury Potters’ Association, where she taught until shortly before her passing. Her work is held in both public and private collections, and her legacy lives on through her students, her friends, and the family she cherished.