Healey
Classification
ceramics
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Elizabeth Taylor
Accession Number
1991-11-6
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This ceramic work titled *Healey*, created around 1893 by the American studio Chryso-Ceramics, offers a glimpse into the early years of a short-lived but distinctive enterprise. Active from 1892 to 1920, Chryso-Ceramics produced decorative objects during a period when American studios were exploring new forms of artistic expression in clay. The piece’s placement in the Smithsonian American Art Museum highlights its role within the nation’s broader story of craft and design. Although details about its exact technique and subject remain under research, the work’s donation by Elizabeth Taylor connects it to a tradition of private collectors preserving American studio ceramics for public enjoyment. Created just as the studio opened its doors, *Healey* likely reflects the experimental spirit of the 1890s, when artists sought to elevate everyday materials into objects of beauty and cultural significance.