Vase
ca. 1877–85
Medium
Earthenware
Dimensions
12 5/8 x 5 5/8 in. (32.1 x 14.3 cm)
Classification
Vase
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Robert A. Ellison Jr., 2018
Accession Number
2018.294.21
Art Historical Context
This elegant earthenware vase, crafted around 1877–85 by Hugh C. Robertson at the Chelsea Keramic Art Works, exemplifies early American art pottery. Standing at 12⅝ x 5⅝ inches, its simple yet refined form reflects the Aesthetic Movement's emphasis on beauty in functional objects. Robertson, a pioneering ceramicist, founded Chelsea Keramic in 1872 in Massachusetts, aiming to rival European potters like Wedgwood by producing high-quality, artistically inspired wares. Chelsea Keramic marked a pivotal moment in American ceramics, blending traditional earthenware techniques—such as wheel-throwing...
About the Artist
Hugh C. Robertson|Chelsea Keramic Art Works (American| ) · 1895 |1844 –1943 |1908
1895–1943|1844–1908