Vase 1874 - 1887

This vase was made by the Chelsea Keramic Art Works sometime between 1872 and 1889. The hammered surface and floral decoration connect this vase to the late 19th-century American art pottery movement. This movement embraced handcrafted production methods in response to industrialization. We see the influence of the English Arts and Crafts movement, which promoted the idea of the artist-craftsman, in contrast to the division of labor in industrial factories. The Chelsea Keramic Art Works was founded as an experiment in art education. It provided training to women in ceramic design and decoration, offering them new professional opportunities. However, the company struggled financially and eventually closed. By looking at census records, company documents, and design manuals, we can better understand the social role this pottery played and the opportunities it offered to women artists in the late 19th century. The vase itself is not just a decorative object but a historical document.