Jar c. 1938

Yolande Delasser created this watercolor rendering of a jar, part of a project documenting American design. The jar itself speaks to 19th and 20th-century American folk art traditions where utilitarian objects were often decorated with simple motifs. The blue floral design against the neutral stoneware connects to rural aesthetics, reflecting a desire to bring beauty into everyday life, in contrast to mass-produced, unadorned items. These stoneware jars would have been made in a regional pottery, perhaps family owned. Delasser’s decision to record this particular object points to a moment of institutional reflection on national identity. What is valuable about these everyday objects? How can they reflect American values? Scholars can delve into local historical records, family archives, and museum collections to better understand these connections and the public role of art.