Mary Lou Higgins (NC, 1926-2012), Two Art Pottery Forms

Hand-painted ceramic, the first, a 1977 square form vase with applied and drawn hands to body, two fold-over handles with impressed geometric pattern wrapping to posterior, signed and dated to base (6 1/2 x 6 1/2 x 5 in.); the second, a 1979 lidded box with vignettes to each side depicting a landscape, the lid depicting a seated figure among flowers with torso to form handle, impressed geometric design to interior and underside of lid, signed "MARY LOU AND EDWARD HIGGINS" with date to body (15 x 8 x 7 1/2 in.).

From the New Hampshire Collection of Tatyana Archambault

Mary Lou Higgins maintained an artist studio in Pittsboro, North Carolina and is best known for her illustrative approach to ceramics. Higgins created a body of work that highlighted her intricate draughtsmanship in multiple media including ceramics, works on paper, canvas, and handmade furniture, all the while maintaining a focus on the female figure. Higgins often collaborated with her husband, Edward Higgins, who sometimes constructed the ceramic forms she decorated.

Small chip to base of square vase; break and repair with associated fleabites to handle of box.