Iris Ceramic Vase 1900

This Iris Ceramic Vase was made by Alfred William Finch, a pivotal figure in bringing the aesthetics of the Arts and Crafts movement to Finland. Born in Brussels, Finch co-founded the influential artists' group Les XX, championing avant-garde art. But it was his move to Finland that marked his shift to ceramics and his efforts to foster a local craft industry. The vase's simplified iris motif and the use of bold color embody the era’s rejection of industrial excess, favoring handcrafted, honest design. Finch's work reflects the Arts and Crafts ethos of democratizing art, making it accessible and integral to everyday life. His role at the Iris factory also speaks to the complex interplay between artistic ideals and the realities of industrial production. Delving into Finch's biography, the archives of the Iris factory, and the broader context of the Arts and Crafts movement, we can better appreciate the vase as a symbol of social aspirations embedded in a beautiful object.