Vase

Art Historical Context

George E. Ohr, innovative American potter from Biloxi, Mississippi, created this striking vase around 1897–1900. Often called the “Mad Potter Biloxi,” Ohr worked during a time when American ceramics were shifting toward more expressive, studio-based practices. His pieces stand out for their playful manipulation of form, reflecting a bold departure from conventional pottery of the era. Made of earthenware, the vase showcases Ohr’s experimental approach to the medium. He frequently used local clays and pushed the material’s limits by throwing exceptionally thin walls and then twisting or foldin...