Porringer 1905 - 1914

Clara Barck Welles made this porringer, a small shallow bowl, out of silver. Just imagine her hammering and shaping the metal, each strike of the hammer imbuing the object with a sense of vitality and presence. You can feel her decisions, her hesitations, her corrections, and her confidence through the delicate hammered surface of the bowl. The handle is an invitation to touch and feel the object's coolness, reflecting her sensitivity to the material's inherent qualities. When you look closely, you can see how the light plays across the surface, and how the subtle undulations catch the light and create a sense of movement. The silver is not just a material, but a medium for expression, and the porringer becomes a testament to Welles's skill, vision, and deep connection to the world around her. All artists are in an ongoing dialogue. Welles probably knew the Arts and Crafts movement, but maybe also some industrial design of her time. What would she make of our time?