Vase 1876 - 1880

This vase was produced by the Chelsea Keramic Art Works, active in Massachusetts between 1872 and 1889, and it’s made of glazed ceramic. The vase's smooth, jade-like surface and the symmetrical, almost industrial form, speak to a moment when ceramics was being redefined. It moves away from the traditional, hand-painted designs of the past, and embraces a cleaner, more streamlined aesthetic. You can see that especially in the even, unmodulated glaze. This kind of effect was achieved through careful control of the kiln and precise application of the glaze. It represents a conscious effort to elevate ceramics from mere craft to the level of fine art. Yet, the very effort to smooth out the surface is a kind of labor, isn't it? What looks machine-made really isn't. This vase reminds us that even in the pursuit of high art, the hand, and therefore the value of skilled work, is always present.