Tripod Ewer c. 2000

This Tripod Ewer was crafted by Erlitou and is now housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The surface feels rough and unfinished, like unfired clay, though it must be sturdy enough to hold liquid. I find myself wondering about the artist’s process, the way they might have coaxed this vessel into being, molding and shaping it with their hands. The body of the ewer swells gently, resting on three pointy legs that give it a somewhat precarious balance. The handle, a dark, bold stroke against the lighter body, adds a graphic quality. I imagine Erlitou considering the weight and distribution of the piece, figuring out how to make it both functional and beautiful. There is an echo of Brancusi in this form, something primal and elegant at the same time. Isn’t it amazing how artists, separated by time and culture, can still speak to each other through the language of shape and form? Ultimately, it's the kind of timeless conversation that makes art so endlessly fascinating.