Ewer Design
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-411-66
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Jean-Bernard Turreau a French artist active from 1672 to 1731, crafted this intriguing *Ewer Design* during an era when France led Europe in opulent decorative arts under Louis XIV. As a print in the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection, it likely served as a pattern for silversmiths or metalworkers, capturing the grandeur of the late Baroque period. Ewers—elegant pitchers used for serving water or wine—were status symbols in affluent households, Turreau's design reflects the meticulous ornamentation prized by the French court. Though the exact date and medium remain under research, the...