Vase 1894 - 1903

This vase was crafted by George E. Ohr, a potter active at the turn of the 20th century. Ohr’s radical approach to ceramics challenges our understanding of the vessel. Here, the vase form, historically associated with containment and stability, is distorted. The fluid lines and undulating surface evoke dynamism and change. One might draw a parallel between this surface and the ancient motif of flowing water, seen across cultures from the Nile to the Ganges, symbolizing life and purification. However, Ohr's treatment is far from traditional. The controlled chaos of the glaze, the unpredictable folds, and the precarious balance elicit a sense of unease, a departure from the classical harmony we might expect. This can be compared to the Baroque era's taste for movement and heightened emotionality. The tension between form and fluidity, control and chance, engages us on a primal level, stirring deep-seated associations with the earth, transformation, and the precariousness of existence. We are reminded that symbols are never static; they constantly evolve, reflecting the anxieties and aspirations of the human soul.