Porringer 1905 - 1914

This is a Porringer, by Clara Barck Welles, and though it has no official date, we know it was made with silver. The first thing you notice is that the surface is not perfectly smooth; the silversmith's hammer has left marks all over. It gives the piece a kind of handmade feel. This texture contrasts with the shiny interior of the bowl. Look at the handle. See how it's almost like a little fan, but with that same rough texture as the outside of the bowl? It's such a clever detail, and it invites you to touch it, to feel the marks. This piece reminds me a bit of some of the work of the Bauhaus metalworkers, who were also interested in exploring the relationship between form and function. But Welles brings something all her own to the mix, a kind of quiet poetry. Artmaking is a conversation, right? Each artist adds their voice to the chorus, building on what came before, but always with their own unique accent. And ultimately, there’s no single right way to see this piece, or any other work of art. It’s an open invitation to think and feel.