Vase

Art Historical Context

This elegant vase, crafted by the United States Pottery Company between 1849 and 1858, exemplifies the early achievements of American ceramic production. Standing just under ten inches tall, the piece is made of Parian porcelain, a fine, unglazed material prized for its smooth, marble-like texture. Popular in the mid-nineteenth century, this medium allowed American makers to create delicate relief decorations—here, the tag “Grapes” suggests clusters of fruit and vines that evoke abundance and natural beauty. During this period, the United States Pottery Company in Bennington, Vermont, helped ...