Vase 1892 - 1899

This vase was crafted by George Ohr, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Note how its deep crimson glaze immediately captures your attention. The form itself defies conventional symmetry, presenting an almost crumpled silhouette. Ohr was known as the "Mad Potter of Biloxi", and this piece exemplifies his radical approach to ceramics. The pinched and folded lip, the undulating surface texture, and the playfully shaped handles challenge our traditional notions of what a vase should be. It's more than a vessel; it's a statement. Ohr's work disrupted the established aesthetic values of his time. He engaged with new ways of thinking about form and function. He challenged the fixed meanings and categories we impose on art and craft. Look closely at how Ohr subverts the smooth, refined finish typically associated with pottery, creating a complex interplay between order and chaos. This vase, therefore, functions not just as an object of beauty, but as a profound philosophical statement.