Artheon MuseumArtheonMuseum

Bowl

Unknown Artist

1785–90

Bowl by Unknown Artist

Medium

Porcelain

Dimensions

Diam. 6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm)

Classification

Bowl

Culture

Chinese, for American market

Department

The American Wing

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Bequest of James T. Woodward, 1910

Accession Number

10.149.134

Tags

Coat of ArmsBirds

Art Historical Context

This delicate porcelain bowl, crafted in China specifically for the American market between1785 and 1790, exemplifies the burgeoning trans-Pacific trade that flourished after the American Revolution Measuring just 6¼ inches in diameter, it as a luxurious tableware item for affluent U.S. households, showcasing China's mastery of porcelain production—a medium prized for its translucency, durability, and ability to hold intricate painted designs fired at high temperatures. The bowl's decoration features birds and a coat of arms motifs customized to appeal to Western clients, likely symbolizing f...

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