Bowl 1895 - 1913

This expressive bowl was made by George Ohr, likely around the turn of the 20th century, using thrown, turned and folded clay. Ohr was a singular figure, often called the "Mad Potter of Biloxi," and his works like this one were both highly skilled and deeply eccentric. The pinched form and thin walls of the bowl are the result of Ohr's virtuosity on the potter's wheel. Yet it's the expressive manipulation of the clay, the intentional distortion of its form that makes this piece special. Note how the clay has been folded and twisted, pushing the material to its absolute limit. The surface is mottled with a subtle variegated glaze that accentuates the unevenness of the surface. Ohr embraced imperfection at a time when industrialization threatened to standardize all aspects of life, including art and craft. Through his dedication to process, Ohr elevated the status of ceramics beyond mere function, producing works of expressive sculpture.