Porringer 1905 - 1914

Clara Barck Welles’s “Porringer” (1905-14) is a simple, yet elegant, piece of silverwork. The hammered surface of the bowl and handle gives the piece a textured quality, while the overall shape is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The porringer, a type of small bowl, was likely intended for serving food or drink. This piece exemplifies Welles’s mastery of metalwork and her ability to create objects that are both beautiful and practical. The Minneapolis Institute of Art houses this example of American Arts and Crafts movement silverware.