Design for a Tureen
Classification
drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1911-28-366
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Joseph Anton Seethaler II, a German artist active in the early nineteenth century, created this design for a tureen between 1825 and 1835. a preparatory drawing, it offers a glimpse into the thoughtful process behind functional tableware, where form and ornament came together to elevate everyday dining. Seethaler’s work captures the period’s emphasis on refined craftsmanship, when objects like tureens served not only practical purposes but also expressed social status and aesthetic taste in European households. Now part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection, the piece was acquir...