Ceramics: An Atlas of Forms

by Glenn Barkley

What can we learn about the Roman Empire from an amphora made in 200 BCE? How can a simple, unadorned cup made in 1945 tell us so much about history? And what will an artwork comprising a vast collection of clay spheres tell our descendants about the act of making?

Once fired, clay has the strength to last for millennia. Practical uses aside, ceramic objects are a testament to the power and innovation of ancient and ongoing cultural traditions. A single piece can tell an invaluable story about its time, the people who made it, how it was collected, or its role within a broader cultural network.

Ceramics: An Atlas of Forms is a global cultural study told through the lens of ceramics. Organized chronologically--from an Egyptian ceremonial jar made over five thousand years ago to works by twentieth-century luminaries Lucie Rie and Bernard Leach, contemporary artists and entirely unknown makers--this collection weaves a tale of rich cultural stories through the diverse history of ceramics, honoring the artists who have left their mark on this timeless practice.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1760763934
• ISBN13: 9781760763930
• Release Date: March 2024
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 3.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 8.7" x 10.9"