Pinch bottle 1885 - 1895

This earthenware Pinch Bottle was designed by Christopher Dresser, the renowned designer and theorist. Its creation involved shaping the clay on a wheel, with the addition of applied floral ornaments. The glossy, deep red glaze is particularly striking. The bottle's form is evocative of ancient vessels, but Dresser was also keenly interested in contemporary industrial processes. Although the precise manufacturing details are unknown, it's likely that it was slip-cast – an industrialized technique that allowed for precise replication of forms. This enabled mass production, bringing well-designed objects like this to a broader market. Dresser’s practice blurred the lines between art, craft, and industrial design, questioning traditional hierarchies. By embracing both handcraft and industrial techniques, he sought to democratize good design, making it accessible beyond elite circles. The Pinch Bottle is a testament to his commitment to this principle, using manufacturing to combine beauty and utility.