Similar to most of the pottery of the era, two different people created this pot: the potter and the decorator. From 1896 until 1927, the potter, Joseph Meyer, created the foundation of all art pottery on the Gulf Coast. Tulane University asked Meyer to build a ceramic facility for the New Orleans Art Pottery, which later became Newcomb Art Pottery. In addition to holding the position master thrower for Newcomb Art Pottery, Meyer mentored many aspiring potters. Meyer, the third potter hired at the Newcomb Art Pottery, grew to fame due to his classic shapes. Furthermore, he experimented with a variety of different glazes, eventually leading him to win a bronze medal at the Paris International Exposition in 1900 (Joseph Fortuné Meyer). Sadie Irvine, designer of the pot, is said to be one of the most well-know of Newcomb pottery designers, being the “cornerstone” for its program. An independent woman, Irvine executed design techniques that troubled other designers. Moreover, she could make designs directly on the clay, using only her eyes to perfectly gauge dimensions and widths (Sarah Agnes Estelle Irvine).…show more content… Mandell Collection. Although it has no official name and the year of creation is unknown, Meyer made this pot using clay and a glaze that he perfected during the Newcomb Pottery Era. This glaze not only created the blue effect but also gave it a shiny finish.
When I first saw this artwork I really admired the designs. At first glance the flowers seemed to float on the pot. The color scheme appealed to me: the blue glaze shines with color unlike any pot I have seen before. The unique shape of the pot appeals to me, gaining width from the base and narrowing again at the top. The simplicity of this solid blue pot with flowers only at the top conveys an understated excellence that I
