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Amber Cowan

Whole Milk Wash Basin in Colony Harvest
Now On View

Maker

Amber Cowan (American, b. 1981)

Title

Whole Milk Wash Basin in Colony Harvest

Year

2013

Medium

  • glass

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

  • glass

Dimensions

49 x 49 x 14 cm (19 5/16 x 19 5/16 x 5 1/2 inches)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Artist's signature on the base "Amber Cowan 13"

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Helen M. Danforth Acquisition Fund

Object Number

2015.44

Type

  • Glass

Publications

  • Journal

Manual / Issue 7: Alchemy

Exhibition History

Happy White Pendleton Bridge Gallery
Dec 19, 2014

Label copy

This basin was formed entirely of recycled Colony Harvest pressed milk-glass tableware, produced by the Lancaster Colony Corporation from the 1950s to the 1970s. A close look reveals a looped cup handle attached to a section decorated with the pattern’s signature grape leaves. The vessel’s mostly naturalistic elements were flame-worked and hot-sculpted, then fused in a kiln.

Amber Cowan describes her desire “to reference the history of the pressed-glass industry and bring into focus the feeling of its past glory and forlorn future.” By upcycling these vintage discards, she supports sustainable design, a concern of contemporary object making.

–Elizabeth A. Williams, David and Peggy Rockefeller Curator of Decorative Arts and Design

Image use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use.

Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Amber Cowan (American, b. 1981)
Whole Milk Wash Basin in Colony Harvest, 2013
Glass
49 x 49 x 14 cm (19 5/16 x 19 5/16 x 5 1/2 inches)
Helen M. Danforth Acquisition Fund 2015.44

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Feedback

We view our online collection as a living documents, and our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you have additional information or have spotted an error, please send feedback to curatorial@risd.edu.

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