Vase 1900

Alfred William Finch created this vase from glazed ceramic. The vase's shape and form reveal a lot about how it was made. The bulbous body, narrow neck and applied handles indicate that it was probably created on a potter’s wheel. Pinching and pulling the clay, the potter would have coaxed the form upwards, giving it volume and a sense of restrained energy. The green glaze pools and thins across the surface, creating subtle variations in color that catch the light. You can see a texture of dappled spots on the surface. This wasn’t an accident: it’s a deliberate effect, achieved by controlling the firing process in the kiln. The deep color and reflective glaze draw attention to the material qualities of the vase, elevating its status. A handmade ceramic piece like this stands apart from mass-produced tableware. It invites us to appreciate the skill and labor involved in its creation.