Bust of Frederica-Albertina, Abbess of Steterburg
Classification
ceramics
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Accession Number
1984-131-2
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Behold the elegant *Bust of Fredericabertina, Abbess Steterburg*, a ceramic portrait crafted by the renowned Fürstenberg Porcelain Manactory in Germany between 1770 and 1775. Established 1747, thisactory rose to prominence during the Rococo era, rivaling giants like Meissen in producing luxurious porcelain figures that captured the nobility and clergy of the time. This bust immortalizes Frederica-Albertina, the abbess of the Steterburg convent near Brunswick, reflecting the era's fascination with individualized portraiture in miniature form. Porcelain busts like this one were technical marvel...