Vase

Art Historical Context

George E. Ohr's *Vase* (ca. 1897–1900) exemplifies the bold innovation of one of America's most eccentric ceramicists, often called the "Mad Potter of Biloxi." Working in Mississippi during the late 19th, Ohr pushed the boundaries of earthenware pottery with his radical, hand-thrown forms. This small vase, measuring just over 5 inches tall and wide, showcases his signature thin-walled construction—achieved through masterful wheel-throwing techniques that verged on fragility, challenging the sturdy, utilitarian ceramics of the era. Crafted from earthenware, a low-fired clay common in American folk pottery, Ohr's piece stands out for its artistic audacity rather than functionality. Displayed in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it highlights the vibrant creativity of turn-of-the-century American artisans who blended European traditions with indigenous ingenuity. Ohr's vessels, like this one, were often asymmetrical and expressive, foreshadowing modernist ceramics decades ahead of their time. A gift to the Met in 2018 from Robert A. Ellison Jr., this vase invites visitors to appreciate Ohr's rebellious spirit—his dramatic studio "earthquakes," where he'd smash imperfect works, underscored his pursuit of perfection. It's a delightful glimpse into American craft's wild side! (198 words)

About the Artist

George E. Ohr · 1857–1918

**George Edgar Ohr (1857–1918)** was an American ceramic artist renowned as the self-proclaimed “Mad Potter of Biloxi.” Born in Biloxi, Mississippi, to German immigrant parents—his father a blacksmith and his mother a grocer—he grew up in a working-class environment with little formal education. Ohr apprenticed under Joseph Fortune Meyer, a family friend and potter associated with the New Orleans...