Catcher
ca. 1875–76
Medium
Parian porcelain
Dimensions
14 7/8 in. (37.8 cm)
Classification
Statuette
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Emma and Jay A. Lewis, in honor of Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, Anthony W. and Lulu C. Wang Curator of American Decorative Arts, 2015
Accession Number
2015.549
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum Art stands *Catcher*, a captivating Parian porcelain figure crafted around 1875–76 by Isaac Bro for the firm Ott and Brewer. Measuring nearly 15 inches tall, this unglazed porcelain sculpture emulates the fine texture of marble, a technique that made Parian ware immensely popular in the 19th century for its elegant, classical appearance at an accessible price. The piece depicts a male baseball catcher in dynamic pose, crouched and ready for action, capturing the essence of America's burgeoning national pastime. Baseball exploded in popularity af...
About the Artist
Isaac Broome|Ott and Brewer · 1836–1922
1835–1922|