Vase 1879

This vase was made by Thomas J. Wheatley, an American artist who was part of the art pottery movement in the United States. The movement sought to elevate ceramics to the status of fine art. On the vase, a sailboat glides across the water, beneath a sky filled with puffy clouds. The scene evokes a sense of tranquility, but also hints at the economic importance of maritime activity to the coastal regions of the United States in the 19th century. Wheatley was associated with the Rookwood Pottery, in Cincinnati, Ohio, one of the earliest and most influential art potteries in the United States. It created opportunities for women artists and artisans to thrive in a professional setting, at a time when such opportunities were scarce. The vase can be interpreted as a commentary on the social structures of its time, celebrating the beauty of the American landscape. Art historians rely on documents, archives and exhibition catalogs to understand more about art pottery in the United States and its broader cultural context.