Michelle Erickson , a Ceramicist base in the US master in recreated historical ceramic pieces. One of Erickson’e recreation is 18 Century Bonnin and Morris Pickle stand ,this is also one of my essential project while Central’s Ceramic studio reopen .
This porcelain stand is originally create by Philadelphia potters Gousse Bonnin and George Anthony Morris in 1770s ,why I interested in this not just because of the beauty of the item ,but the message on the stand preserved American Revolution political status in 18 Century. In 18 Century America , Porcelain pickle stand is a political statement on dinning table, Imagine back than , owing a porcelain in a house is already showing wealth, writing political statement on the them is even showing off power and or not fear of power.
I would like to experience the process of recreating a historical item , in order to immersive my self to Ceramic industry in early industrial revolution period , also learn history from the piece as well.
Here is my process so far:
In the middle of the process , I have a thought , “Plaster was such a game changer in Ceramic production history !”
In 1700s, Gousse Bonnin and George Anthony Morris in the America and Wedgwood Josiah in Britain, they both started to reproduce delicate luxury Ceramic ware with Plaster mould ,I start to wonder ,before Plaster introduce to Ceramic ware making , these kind of luxury functional item are not common in middle class house hold ,after plaster mould was introduce ,collecting Luxury Ceramic ware entire bar are lower , at the same time ,I think trend in ceramic items are staring to develop .
I found Plaster mould making pretty tricky and really pushing myself out of my comfort zone .However, I believe once I break through the boundaries, my ceramic practice will rise to another level.