Square low vase / Markham Art Pottery

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Record Details

Accession Number
2007/1.97
Title
Square low vase
Artist Nationality
American
Medium and Support
stoneware with matte glaze
Object Creation Date
1904-1913
Object Creation Place
North and Central America (continent)
United States (nation)
Creation Place 2
United States (nation)
Dimensions
9.4 cm x 11.8 cm x 6.2 cm (3 11/16 in. x 4 5/8 in. x 2 7/16 in.)
Century
20th century
Primary Object Classification
Ceramic
Primary Object Type
vase
Physical Description
This small square vase has a body with a raised pattern and a matte glaze of orange and brown colors.
Subject Matter
Ann Arbor-based Markham Pottery began when Herman C. Markham, a traveling salesman and a devoted grower of roses, found that he could not get an adequate supply of vases that kept the water cool enough to keep the blooms of his roses fresh. In the mid-1880s, he began working with the clay in his yard to create utilitarian vases whose understated beauty enhanced, rather than competed, with his roses. By 1905, Markham was joined in the enterprise by his son Kenneth. The pottery that the Markhams developed consisted of a low-fired ceramic body based on classical forms decorated with a distinctive webbing of low relief clay that is part of the mold. Usually fired with matte glazes in earthen colors and stains, the delicacy of Markham ware made their products quite popular.
In 1913, the Markhams moved their pottery to National City, California, near San Diego. There they could take advantage of workspace provided for them at the plant of the California China Products Company. The numbers of works produced by Markham Pottery was not as great as some potteries; the company ceased production in 1921.
Primary Keywords
vases
vessel
Rights
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Technical Details

Image Size
2543 x 1893
File Size
641 KB
Record
2007/1.97
Link to this Item
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-2007-sl-1.97/2007_1.97.jpg

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Full citation
"Square low vase; Markham Art Pottery." In the digital collection University of Michigan Museum of Art. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-2007-sl-1.97/2007_1.97.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed March 29, 2024.
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