Vase 1903

This Vase was made by the Van Briggle Pottery Company around 1901, and can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. At the turn of the century, the decorative arts became a critical site for the expression of a uniquely American identity, as craftspeople sought to create objects that reflected the nation’s landscape and history. This vase, with its stylized lotus flowers and muted blue glaze, speaks to the era’s fascination with both Asian art and the natural world. Yet, the Van Briggle Pottery Company was also part of the Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized handcraftsmanship in response to industrialization. In a period of increasing mechanization, the company offered an alternative vision of labor, one rooted in individual skill and artistic expression. The subtle variations in the vase’s surface remind us of the human touch, offering a quiet resistance to the homogenizing forces of mass production. This piece reflects a broader cultural desire to reconcile progress with tradition, and industry with nature.