Pilgrim flask 1875 - 1883

Editor: Here we have a "Pilgrim Flask" crafted between 1875 and 1883 by the Chelsea Keramic Art Works, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's made of ceramic and earthenware and appears to feature a narrative scene in relief. It feels…almost like a dreamy scene captured on a practical object. What do you make of this piece? Curator: Oh, this flask sings to me of faraway journeys and romantic tales. The soft blues and greens against the sturdy earthenware are so grounding, like a daydream rooted in reality. Do you notice the figure with the horn? What kind of story does he tell? Is he a herald of victory, a warning of danger, or simply a minstrel calling all to a feast? I fancy that he brings great news. The design blends that romantic idealism with… something touchable and down-to-earth. What do you think that contrast represents? Editor: That's beautiful, I can see the potential for so many stories here, each tone of the horn, perhaps? To me it’s a blend of aspiration and nostalgia… a beautiful object intended to be carried through daily life. Curator: Nostalgia... That's it, I think. These artisans working at Chelsea Keramic, were perhaps yearning for a simpler time while fully embracing their modern moment, capturing dreams in clay. This little piece holds a quiet revolution. How do you feel looking at it? Editor: Inspired and slightly homesick, maybe. Definitely makes you think about carrying stories with you, both literally and figuratively. Curator: Precisely! It makes one think, "What tales would *I* carry within *my* flask?" Thank you for helping me imagine my own vessel of memory!