Ewer and Basin
c. 1750
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
A (Ewer): 29.6 × 20.7 × 12.1 cm (11 5/8 × 8 1/8 × 4 3/4 in.); B (Platter): 5.6 × 47 × 35.8 cm (2 3/16 × 18 1/2 × 14 1/16 in.)
Classification
ewer (vessel)
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
88445
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This ewer and basin were designed for use in the aristocratic ritual of the toilette, an elaborate practice of cleansing and dressing, often performed in the company of close acquaintances. The term toilette comes from the French word toile, referring to the textile covering on the table where the ritual was performed. The elite toilette was marked by the use of specialized accessories made from expensive materials. This ewer and basin were made in Lisbon, which experienced newfound prosperity i...
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...