Drawing of a swagged urn (black basalt ware) and a glass tumbler

The work presents two everyday objects—a heavy, dark‑coloured urn and a simple glass cup—arranged to explore their volumes and the way light falls upon them. The choice of ordinary items reflects a pedagogical exercise rather than a narrative intent.

Rendered in pencil, the drawing demonstrates careful line work and attention to proportion, characteristic of academic drawing exercises of the period. The rendering emphasizes accurate perspective and shading to convey three‑dimensionality, without decorative flourish.

Created during Potter’s early artistic training, the piece was likely produced as part of the curriculum for the Second Grade Art Student Certificate at the National Art Training School in South Kensington, where she earned an ‘Excellent’ rating. It remains in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

At the time, girls of Potter’s social class were encouraged to acquire genteel arts such as drawing. Though largely self‑taught through copying nature and books, her parents arranged formal lessons and enrollment in the art school, exposing her to the works of Constable, Gainsborough and Turner exhibited at the Royal Academy.