Bowl

Art Historical Context

Nestled in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, this elegant stoneware bowl by Ruth Erikson exemplifies early 20th-century American ceramics. Created in 1916, during a period when American potters were embracing durable, handcrafted wares amid the waning Arts and Crafts movement, the bowl measures 5 7/8 x 13 3/8 inches (14.9 x 34 cm). Erikson, active from 189 to 1910, this piece later in her career, highlighting her enduring commitment to functional yet artistic pottery. Stoneware, fired at high temperatures to achieve a strong, non-porous body, was prized for its practicality and aesthetic versatility. Erikson's bowl likely showcases the medium's earthy tones and subtle glazes, reflecting the era's emphasis on honest materials and skilled craftsmanship over mass production. As a woman artist in a male-dominated field, her work contributes to the narrative of American studio pottery's rise. Generously gifted by Robert A. Ellison Jr. in 2018, this bowl invites visitors to appreciate the quiet beauty of everyday objects elevated to art. It reminds us how American makers like Erikson bridged utility and refinement, preserving cultural heritage one vessel at a time.