Covered Sugar Bowl 1849 - 1858

This covered sugar bowl was created by the United States Pottery Company in the mid-19th century. It showcases a rich, glossy brown glaze that immediately draws the eye, with vertical streaks of yellow that animate the surface. The piece is structured around a series of vertical panels, subtly concave, giving the bowl a slightly scalloped appearance. This fluted design is mirrored in the lid, which is topped with a conical finial, echoing the vertical emphasis. Two handles elegantly protrude from the sides, providing both function and balance to the composition. The glaze, with its deliberate drips and pooling, is not merely decorative. It is a sign of the aesthetic shift towards valuing process and materiality. It moves away from mere imitation of other materials, such as bronze or porcelain, toward the celebration of earthenware's inherent qualities. This approach marks a significant moment in the history of American ceramics, one that elevates the medium through form and surface treatment.