Tray with Ewers

USA, 1900
rosenfieldcollection.com
Date acquired:
Materials:
Porcelain
Form - Functional: N/A
Form - Sculptural: N/A
Method:
Thrown and Altered
Surface Technique: N/A
Kiln Type: N/A
Glazes:
Glaze
Leah Leitson

Leah Balsham is primarily known for sculpture and individual container forms. She worked with slabs, and threw earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain on the wheel. Balsham?s firings ranged from low to high fire, in oxidation and reduction kiln environments. Surface treatment included majolica (a white-based usually with brightly colored, low fire decoration), incised, wax resist, china painted, lusters, and decals. Balsham?s wood fired pots made in Japan had little or no glaze.

Leah Balsham?s sculpture was influenced by a fascination with Greek myths and vase painting, folk and primitive art, Biblical lore, Japanese prints, Mughal painting (a derivative of Persian miniature painting), patterned surfaces, and water ecology. Some sculptures evoked plant forms while others could be taken apart, giving them an intentional game-like quality.

Leah Balsham is also known for her print making, her work as an artist for the Federal Art Project (WPA), and as teacher of children at Hull House, a settlement house, in Chicago, Illinois.

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rosenfieldcollection.com

Leitson in other collections

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Last updated: April 22, 2026

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