Bracket 1877

This 'Bracket' was made by Ott and Brewer sometime between 1871 and 1893 out of porcelain. It's a shelf support, featuring a smiling woman. This piece emerges from a time when industrialization met artistic expression. Ott and Brewer were known for their Belleek ware, inspired by Irish porcelain, which catered to an increasingly consumerist society. The bracket presents a curious tension: a functional object adorned with a human face. Who is this woman? Is she a muse, a worker, or an allegorical figure? Her smile is ambiguous, perhaps suggesting the complex role of women in a rapidly changing world. The choice of porcelain speaks to both luxury and mass production, mirroring societal aspirations and class divisions of the era. As you observe this piece, consider how it embodies the aspirations and contradictions of its time, inviting us to reflect on the ever-evolving relationship between art, industry, and identity.