Soya Sprinkler Bottle c. 1955

Curator: What first strikes me about Michel Cardew's "Soya Sprinkler Bottle," which lives here in the Tate collections, is its humble sophistication. Editor: Yes, it has this lovely, almost monastic feel—so earthy, so grounded in the material itself. You can practically feel the clay. Curator: It really does bring you back to basics, doesn't it? There’s something deeply satisfying about the utilitarian nature, yet Cardew's skill elevates it beyond mere function. It is made to be used. Editor: The making and use of ceramics, traditionally separated from art, are here unified in the labor and design involved to produce the piece, blurring the lines between art, craft, and industry. Curator: Exactly! And that’s why it's so fascinating. It embodies this perfect balance of simplicity and thoughtful creation. Editor: It makes you think about the hands that shaped it, the fire that hardened it, and even the table it will one day sit upon. It's like a small, quiet poem about everyday life.