Dish Depicting Queen Anne of England
c. 1702–27
Medium
Tin-glazed earthenware
Dimensions
7.6 × 34.3 cm (3 × 13 1/2 in.)
Classification
earthenware
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
65409
Art Historical Context
This elegant oval dish, crafted from tin-glazed earthenware around 1702–27, captures Queen Anne of England (r. 1702–14), the last Stuart monarch, in vivid portrait that reflects her era's royal iconography. Measuring just 7.6 × 34.3 cm, it served as both functional tableware and a statement of loyalty, likely produced in an English delftware workshop like those in Lambeth or Bristol. These pieces were popular among the emerging middle class, blending everyday utility with decorative flair. Tin-glazing, a technique where a tin oxide layer creates a brilliant white surface for colorful overglaz...
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...