Bowl

Art Historical Context

This modest earthenware bowl, crafted American potter Levi Coates between 9 and 1839, captures the essence of early th-century domestic life in the Americas. Measuring a compact 7 × 14 cm (2 3/4 × 5 1/2 in.), it served practical purposes like holding food or small items, reflecting the everyday craftsmanship of regional workshops during America's formative years. Earthenware, made from clay fired at relatively low temperatures, was a staple medium for affordable, utilitarian pottery before industrialized production took hold. Coates, active in this period, exemplifies the skilled artisans who...