Vase 1902

This "Vase" was made by the Van Briggle Pottery Company in 1901. It's a beautiful example of how art can elevate everyday objects. The mark-making here isn't about a brushstroke; it's about the form itself, the way the clay is molded and shaped. It speaks to a different kind of process, one where the hand coaxes the material into being. The texture and color of this vase are so compelling. The surface has this lovely, almost velvety feel, and the glaze, a mix of earthy browns and muted blues, gives it a sense of depth. There's this beautiful gradient, a gentle shift from light to dark, that draws your eye up the form. See how the stylized flowers at the base seem to melt into the overall shape? It’s all so seamless, like the vase is growing from the ground. It reminds me a little of the ceramics of Lucie Rie, in that both artists share an appreciation for simple forms and subtle glazes. This vase shows us that art isn’t always about grand gestures; sometimes, it’s about finding beauty in the quiet, unassuming things.