Urn
Frank Lloyd Wright, American, (1867-1959), architect
Urn, c. 1898-1900
James A Miller and Brother Company, manufacturer
Copper
18-5/8 x 16 x 18 in.
Museum Purchase
In his desire to bring nature indoors, Wright designed several objects to contain native plants and prairie grasses. Made of hand-hammered sheet copper, Wright's design for the urn reinterpreted a common decorative vessel - the vase - and reinvented the form in an entirely new way.
The copper urn has a warm brown "leathery" finish and a design that lends itself to the geometric interiors that Wright created. Wright designed two urns with a slight modification in the geometric pattern that encircles the urn. Fewer than twelve urns altogether are believed to have been manufactured by James A. Miller and Brother Company for use in the interiors of several of Wright's Prairie style commissions.