Stoneware Vase c. 1936

Fred Weiss rendered this stoneware vase sometime between 1855 and 1995. Weiss, through his art, was involved in the American Index of Design, a WPA project that documented American design objects. In this piece, we are invited to consider the intersection of craft, utility, and historical narrative. The stoneware vase, with its simple form and glazed surface, speaks to a tradition of functional pottery that was once vital to everyday life. The painted date of 1791 and the initials "IM" evoke a sense of personal history, perhaps nodding to the maker or original owner of the vase. Weiss captured the essence of this object, inviting us to reflect on the passage of time and the stories embedded within material culture. The vase serves as a tangible link to the past, reminding us of the labor, skill, and individual lives that shaped our world.