Healey Gold

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

**Healey Gold** *Chryso-Ceramics, American, 18921920, ca. 1893* Ceramics, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Elizabeth Taylor into the elegant world of late 19th-century American ceramics withHealey Gold*, a piece produced by Chryso-Ceramics, a short-lived firm active from 1892 to 1920. Created around 1893, just a year after the studio's founding, this work exemplifies the innovative spirit of early American pottery makers experimenting with luxurious finishes. The evocative title hints at a shimmering gold effect, likely achieved through specialized glazes that captured the opulence of the Gilded Age, a time when decorative arts reflected America's growing industrial wealth and artistic ambition. Though details of its exact form and medium remain under research, *Healey Gold* belongs to the Smithsonian American Art Museum's ceramics collection, highlighting the diversity of American studio pottery. Chryso-Ceramics' brief tenure suggests a niche operation focused on high-quality, possibly iridescent wares inspired by European techniques adapted for U.S. tastes. Its presence in the collection underscores the firm's role in bridging handmade craft with emerging mass production. A glamorous modern connection: this treasure was generously gifted by actress Elizabeth Taylor, whose eclectic collecting eye elevated it to national prominence. Visit to ponder its golden allure and the mysteries yet to be uncovered! (198 words)