Wash Basin 1849 - 1858

This is a Wash Basin, made by the United States Pottery Company, sometime in the late 19th century. The basin's subdued palette and smooth surface invite a contemplative gaze. Its form is a study in subtle geometry, with its octagonal rim gently transitioning into a rounded bowl, all supported by a simple, circular base. The bowl is a lesson in semiotics; the marbling effect, achieved through brown veining, is an aesthetic choice that destabilizes the clean, functional expectations of a washbasin. These delicate, branching lines across the pale surface evoke a sense of natural, organic processes. The basin presents a discourse on utility and aesthetics. Its design challenges the rigid categories of the functional object, suggesting that even the most mundane items can embody artistic expression. The Wash Basin invites us to reconsider the boundaries between art and everyday life.