The early work of Ohio ceramist Jack Earl drew inspiration from 18th- and 19-century European porcelains, and this coffeepot quotes historical ceramic wares in its material, form, and ornament. The whimsical addition of a girl and dog clutching the lid, however, brings an element of play to an otherwise conventional object. Earl’s title—My girl is a nice girl she’s not too pretty, but she is real nice. We went swimming off by ourselves one time and she fell down and hurt her leg. I should have known then but it was too late and I guess she could have done better—was a device frequently employed by the artist and references the people and scenes of rural Ohio.