Ring Bottle c. 1936

John Dana's Ring Bottle appears to be a drawing, and it presents a ceramic object, likely made of earthenware clay. The ring form is a striking choice. It begs the question: how did Dana, or the original potter, manage to uniformly shape such a large, hollow ring? The bottle’s surface is decorated with horizontal wavy lines, perhaps applied using a brush or a simple rotating banding wheel. The colors – earthy browns and subtle blues – suggest a natural palette, likely derived from mineral pigments. Creating such a piece would require considerable skill in controlling the clay's consistency and the firing process. This bottle challenges our assumptions about utility. The ring form is not the most practical for pouring, so perhaps it had a ceremonial purpose. It’s a reminder that even the most humble materials, when shaped by human hands, can carry profound cultural meaning. This piece invites us to consider the labor, skill, and context embedded within the artwork.