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The Potter's Tale

Contextualizing 6,000 Years of Ceramics

August 26, 2014 Through June 14, 2015

In the T. Marc Futter Gallery

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Turkish, Plate, ca. 1550-1600; Chinese, One of a pair of eggshell porcelain bowls, ca. 19th century; Italian, Albarello, late 15th century
Photo Credit: 

Petegorsky/Gipe; Laura Shea; Petegorsky/Gipe

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Installation view
Photo Credit: 

Laura Shea

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Installation view
Photo Credit: 

Laura Shea

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Installation view
Photo Credit: 

Laura Shea

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Dish with radial design, ca. 1550-1600; One of a pair of eggshell porcelain bowls, ca. 19th century; Albarello, late 15th century

Maker Unknown (Turkish, Iznik), 1980.8
Maker Unknown (Chinese), 1984.18.8a
Maker Unknown (Italian), 2002.3.11

Turkish, Plate, ca. 1550-1600; Chinese, One of a pair of eggshell porcelain bowls, ca. 19th century; Italian, Albarello, late 15th century

Through innovation and exchange, vessels made of clay have contributed to the lives of people all across the economic spectrum, through time, and across the world. This exhibition highlights the ceramic collection of the Mount Holyoke College Art Museum, which spans five continents and six thousand years. The show explores common themes of decoration and form, examines the exchange of ideas and objects across cultures—particularly between China and the West—and highlights the beauty and craftsmanship displayed in ceramic works of art. Dating from antiquity to the 21st century, the exhibition includes many objects on view for the first time, exciting new acquisitions, and a few significant loans that facilitate captivating dialogues around and about pottery and porcelain.

Curated by Aaron F. Miller, Assistant Curator of Visual and Material Culture
and Yingxi (Lucy) Gong '13, Art Museum Advisory Board Fellow

This exhibition is made possible by the Susan Davenport Page 1931 and Margaret Davenport Page Fales 1929 Art Fund.