"Alhambra" vase with lid
1880s
Medium
Porcelain with enamel decoration and gilding
Dimensions
confirmed: 11 11/16 × 13 3/16 × 11 in., 7.3 lb. (29.7 × 33.5 × 27.9 cm, 3.3 kg)
Classification
Ceramics-Porcelain
Culture
British, Derby
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Helene Fortunoff and Robert Grossman, 2017
Accession Number
2018.62.123a, b
Art Historical Context
Step into the opulent world of Victorian decorative arts with the "Alhambra" vase with lid, crafted by the esteemed British porcelain makers Crown Derby in the 1880s. Hailing from Derby, England—a hub of fine ceramics since the 18th century—this grand piece stands at an impressive 11 11/16 × 13 3/16 × 11 inches and weighs 7.3 pounds, making it a statement centerpiece for elite parlors. Its name evokes the intricate Moorish architecture of Spain's Alhambra palace, reflecting the era's fascination with exotic Orientalist motifs amid Britain's imperial reach. Masterfully executed in porcelain, t...