Vase (England)

The austere architectonic form of this vase embodies many of the modernist ideas espoused by Keith Murray. These included reliance on form, the use of geometric rather than organic shapes, and simple decoration (if decoration was used at all). Modernist design was, in part, intended as a practical, democratic means of meeting the needs of society and improving life for all through the use of mass production for well designed, widely available, and inexpensive goods. Like other architects and designers working in this style, Murray strove to create pieces that rejected the idea of decoration for decoration’s sake and that emphasized the idea of “form follows function.”
Wedgwood, established in 1759 by Josiah Wedgwood, was famous for its highly decorative traditional ceramic wares. The company commissioned pieces by well-known artists. In 1932, Wedgwood hired Murray to create a modern line to spur the firm’s business by appealing to a growing middle class that was increasingly interested in design. Although Murray’s modernist designs reflected the precision of machine production, his early vessel forms required throwing and turning by hand. A number of his later forms were suitable for manufacture by the slip casting method and, as such, were less expensive to produce.
The architectural pure form of this large tapering cylindrical creamy yellow vase, with its decoration of simple horizontal grooves, emphasizes a rational geometry and a utilitarian rather than decorative nature. The matte glaze, developed in late 1932 to early 1933, has a muted eggshell-like sheen and further accentuates Murray’s pure form. His work contrasts greatly with contemporary art deco ceramics, such as those by Clarice Cliff, which were highly decorative and often used intensely-colored glazes applied in wild geometric patterns.

Vase (England); Made by Wedgwood (United Kingdom); glazed earthenware; H x diam.: 27.6 x 21.6 cm (10 7/8 x 8 1/2 in.); Gift of Max Pine; 2012-17-2