Vaas van tin met bolvormig lichaam en met lange en brede cilindervormige hals met twee rechthoekige oren. c. 1920 - 1930

This tin vase with its round body, long cylindrical neck, and rectangular ears, was created by Carl Christian Fjerdingstad. It’s so interesting to see how an artist makes an artwork, how it is clearly a process of building up form, not just an act of description. There is a real material presence in the work, the cool smoothness of the metal is almost palpable. Notice how the reflections and shadows play across the surface, giving depth and form to what is essentially a simple shape. If you look closely at the rectangular ‘ears’ or handles, you can see the way the artist has joined these to the main body of the vase. It’s these areas of connection that give the vase a sense of being constructed, of being worked. Although I don’t know Fjerdingstad’s work well, this vase reminds me a lot of the work of Christopher Dresser, in its combination of spare, functional design, with a subtle, almost sculptural presence. Art is an ongoing conversation, and this piece feels like a contribution to the discussion.