Vase 1902

This delicate pink vase was created by Artus Van Briggle, an American potter who lived from 1869 to 1904. Van Briggle was a prominent figure in the American Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized handcrafted objects as a reaction to industrialization. What I find compelling about Van Briggle’s work is how it speaks to a yearning for authenticity. As the United States rapidly industrialized and urbanized at the turn of the 20th century, there was an attempt to reclaim beauty and honesty in design. The pink matte glaze is tactile, inviting you to touch it and the flowing, organic forms suggest a connection to nature. Van Briggle's pottery, with its emphasis on natural forms and muted colors, offered a respite from the perceived excesses of Victorian society and the alienating effects of mass production. It represents an attempt to create objects of beauty that could enrich people's lives on an emotional level.