Vase with poppy seed pods 1900 - 1913

This matte-glaze vase was made by Artus Van Briggle, an American potter working at the turn of the 20th century. The vase's form and decoration were achieved through a technique called slip-casting, where liquid clay is poured into a plaster mold, allowed to set, and then removed. The pale green and maroon colors of the clay aren't painted on, but rather inherent to the material, developed through careful experimentation with glazes. Briggle's innovative matte glazes, along with the stylized, botanical motifs, became his signature style. His works are closely tied to the aesthetics of the Arts and Crafts movement, which valued handcraft and celebrated the inherent beauty of natural materials. Consider that in a time of increasing industrialization, Briggle's pottery offered an alternative, emphasizing the individual maker's skill and artistic vision. The subtle variations in color and texture, achieved through painstaking labor, highlight the beauty of the handmade object in contrast to mass-produced goods.