Figural spill vase

Art Historical Context

Step into the whimsical world of mid-19th-century American with this **Figural Spill Vase crafted by Lyman, Fenton &. in 1849. Shaped as a charming deer—hinted at by its evocative form—this earthenware piece measures a compact 10¾ x 10¾ inches (27.3 x 27.3 cm) and features a distinctive flint enamel glaze. Produced during the height of Vermont's pottery boom, it exemplifies the playful, functional ceramics that graced Victorian homes. Lyman, Fenton & Co a pioneering firm in Bennington, specialized in durable earthenware with innovative glazes like flint enamel, which provided a smooth, glossy finish resistant to wear. Spill vases like this one held twisted paper "spills" for lighting fires or candles in an era before widespread matches, blending utility with sculptural delight. The deer's naturalistic pose reflects the era's fascination with nature motifs in decorative arts. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1938 and housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, this vase highlights America's growing ceramics industry and cultural embrace of accessible, imaginative homewares. A testament to industrial ingenuity, it invites us to appreciate the everyday artistry of the past.