Creamer 1901

This charming little creamer was made by Alfred William Finch, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. I love how it has come into being through trial and error, a beautiful object emerging from intuition. I sympathize with Finch. What was it like to create such a piece? The earthy green and red tones, the simple flower design – it’s all so earnest and unpretentious. The paint is thin, almost like a stain, which allows the texture of the ceramic to peek through. Look at the little handle and spout, each carefully formed, yet maintaining a sense of playful asymmetry. The hand of the artist feels very present, like it’s been formed and painted with love. It reminds me of folk art, or even the Arts and Crafts movement – a desire to return to simpler forms of making, embracing imperfections as part of the process. Artists are always in conversation, aren’t they? Each piece inspires the next, carrying on a dialogue across time. This creamer embraces ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations beyond fixed readings.