Untitled (The Mary Heye Bottle)

Andrew Clemens, born Dubuque, IA 1857-died McGregor, IA 1894 · 1883

Sand bottles are made, quite literally, a grain of sand at a time. The grains are stacked and pushed around until layers and colors form a desired design, which is then pressured into place with a waxed stopper. Part painting, part sculpture, the resulting artform is unique and often quite astonishing.