Vase 1877 - 1879

This vase was made by the Union Porcelain Works sometime between 1863 and 1922, using molded porcelain. The crisp whiteness speaks to porcelain’s unique qualities: its ability to take fine detail and its clean, almost clinical appearance. The piece was slip-cast, meaning liquid clay was poured into a plaster mold and allowed to set. This process, combined with firing at high temperatures, allowed for the mass production of ceramics. It also accounts for the vase's smooth surface, which lacks the tactile quality we often associate with hand-thrown pottery. Despite its industrial origins, the vase imitates nature with its calla lily form and the charming turtle perched at its base. This juxtaposition of industrial production with naturalistic motifs was common during the late 19th century. The Union Porcelain Works aimed to create affordable yet beautiful objects for the home, blurring the lines between industry and art, craft and design.