Tureen and cover
ca. 1760
Medium
ceramics
Classification
ceramics
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of Mrs. John B. Trevor
Accession Number
1906-23-11-a,b
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This elegant tureen and cover, dating to around 1760, exemplifies refined ceramics of the mid-18th century. Crafted as a lidded serving vessel for soups, stews, punches, it would have graced the tables of affluent colonial households. Made of ceramics—a medium prized for its versatility in mimicking luxury materials like silver or porcelain—this piece highlights the era's growing demand for durable, decorative tableware amid America's expanding trade networks. In the colonial period, such tureens were more than functional; they symbolized hospitality and social status, often displayed in parl...
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...