Pitcher 1896

This six-inch-high pitcher was created by George Ohr, the self-proclaimed "Mad Potter of Biloxi," sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Ohr, working in Mississippi, was no doubt aware of the Arts and Crafts movement with its emphasis on handmade goods as an antidote to industrialization. But unlike other potters of his era, Ohr embraced imperfection, producing works that were deliberately asymmetrical, and often quite strange. Take a look at the snake coiled around the base or the pinched lip of the opening. These elements evoke a sense of unease, a quality that is heightened by the pitcher’s mottled, almost slimy, surface. Ohr's work implicitly critiqued the rigid social and aesthetic norms of the Victorian era. To understand Ohr's work, you may want to consult period publications on the decorative arts or writings on the American South during the Jim Crow era. Studying Ohr helps us understand the diverse ways that artists can challenge the status quo.