Tureen
John Bridge
1824
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
39.7 × 40.7 × 37.2 cm (15 5/8 × 16 × 14 5/8 in.)
Classification
metalwork
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
27870
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This silver centerpiece’s large scale and robust modeling epitomize the lavish quality of works by Rundell, Bridge and Rundell, one of the most prestigious retailers of silver and jewelry in the British Empire. It likely served as the model for a nearly identical group of four made for King George IV. The design exploits silver’s plasticity to great effect, as seen in the craggy coral and turtles that support the base and in the undulating curves of the seashell bowl. Mythical figures—seahorses...