Monteith
1685–86
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
14.6 × 28.6 cm (5 3/4 × 11 1/4 in.)
Classification
silver
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
60782
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Before the advent of modern refrigeration, wines could only be kept cool by storing them in well-insulated cellars, or in basins filled with ice and water. Monteiths, essentially large bowls with notched rims, were used to cool wine glasses. They first appeared in the 1680s, making this example one of the earliest of its kind. The notches were used to hang the foot of the glasses, with the bowls of the glasses dangling in the cool water. The term monteith is thought to be derived from an eccentr...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...