Design for a Decorative Ewer
Medium
ornament
Classification
ornament
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1911-28-385
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Jean-Charles Delafosse's 1765 Design for a Decorative Ewer captures the refined ornamental spirit of 18th-century France. Created by this French artist (1734–1789), the work is classified as an ornament and served as a model for a luxurious vessel, reflecting an era when elegant objects enhanced aristocratic interiors and daily rituals. Such designs functioned as vital blueprints for craftsmen, translating artistic ideas into functional yet beautiful items like ewers—pitchers used for serving in dining or ceremonial settings. They illustrate how art and utility intertwined in historical decor...