Salad bowl

Art Historical Context

This striking salad bowl, crafted between 1879 and 1882 at the Linthorpe Pottery Works in Yorkshire, England, exemplifies the innovative spirit of British design during the late Victorian era. Designed by Christopher Dresser in collaboration with the pottery, the piece combines glazed brown earthenware with elegant silver accents. Its wide, shallow form—measuring just five inches high yet spanning ten inches across—reflects a thoughtful balance of utility and ornament, suited for both dining and display. Dresser, a pioneering industrial designer, brought a modern sensibility to traditional ceramics, often drawing on Japanese aesthetics and emphasizing clean lines over excessive decoration. Linthorpe Pottery was known for experimenting with local clays and vibrant glazes, producing affordable yet artistic wares that bridged the gap between handmade craft and emerging industrial production. The addition of silver mounts elevates this earthenware object, highlighting the era’s fascination with mixed materials and refined tableware. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum through the Friends of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, the bowl offers a window into Britain’s rich ceramic heritage and the forward-thinking designs that shaped everyday luxury in the nineteenth century.

About the Artist

Linthorpe Pottery Works|Christopher Dresser (British|British, Scottish) · 1879 |1834 –1889 |1904

British, 1879–1889|British, Glasgow, Scotland 1834–1904 Mulhouse