Bulb Vase
c. 1875
Medium
Bone china, enamel, and gilding
Dimensions
23.9 × 30.5 × 11.5 cm (9 3/8 × 12 × 4 1/2 in.)
Classification
ceramics
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
259160
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Art Institute of Chicago's collection of European Applied Arts, this exquisite *Bulb Vase* from around 1875 exemplifies the refined ceramics of the Victorian era. Crafted in bone china—a prized English invention known for its creamy translucency and strength—this vessel measures a graceful 23.9 × 30.5 × 11.5 cm, perfectly scaled for tabletop display. Its bulbous form, designed to nurture hyacinths or other spring blooms indoors, reflects the 19th-century fascination with horticulture as a genteel pastime. The unknown maker employed sophisticated techniques: enamel for vibrant, ...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...