Frame 1849 - 1858

This frame was created by the United States Pottery Company, though the exact date is unknown. Its ornamental form in glazed earthenware presents a fascinating interplay between material and design. Notice how the dark brown and cream marbling effect gives the illusion of depth, contrasting with the rigid structure. This tension introduces a play between organic and geometric forms. The texture of the frame is complex: the glossy, slick surface of the glaze contrasts with the roughness implied by the baroque-style motifs. The very function of a frame is to define and separate, yet here, the materiality blurs boundaries, merging into the artwork it is meant to isolate. The frame destabilizes the traditional idea of the frame as a mere support. Instead, it becomes an integral component in how we perceive the art it contains. This shift challenges fixed meanings, inviting ongoing interpretation.