Designs for Two Tureens and a Plate

Samuel Alcock & Company, 1845

MEDIUMGraphite, brush and watercolor
DIMENSIONSsheet: 16 3/4 x 11 7/16 in. (42.5 x 29 cm)
LOCATIONThe Metropolitan Museum of Art
COLLECTIONDrawings and Prints
CREDIT LINEThe Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1956

Stop to appreciate this exquisite 19th-century design for porcelain tureens and a plate. It's a fascinating glimpse into the detailed commercial artistry behind luxury tableware of the period, showcasing the elegance and craftsmanship that graced affluent dining rooms.

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ABOUT THIS WORK

This vibrant watercolor presents two ornate tureens and a matching plate, meticulously rendered with an eye for detailed design. The piece showcases the kind of elaborate porcelain that would have graced the tables of wealthy European households in the mid-19th century. Each tureen, designed to hold soup or stew, features a domed lid crowned with a sculptural finial, while its body is adorned with intricate patterns and delicate handles. Below, the accompanying plate echoes these decorative motifs, completing a cohesive and luxurious serving set. This drawing serves as a commercial blueprint, a visual proposal from Samuel Alcock & Company, a prominent pottery manufacturer of the era, to potential clients, demonstrating their artistic vision and technical prowess in creating high-end tableware.

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What to Notice

1

The sculptural finials on each tureen lid, designed as elegant, intertwined forms.

2

The delicate gold-colored accents that highlight the raised decorative elements.

3

The subtle shading in the watercolor, giving the porcelain a three-dimensional quality.

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Audio Deep Dive

Stop to appreciate this exquisite 19th-century design for porcelain tureens and a plate. It's a fascinating glimpse into the detailed commercial artistry behin…

Hear the full story in the app
THE ARTIST
Samuel Alcock & Company

Samuel Alcock & Company, a prominent British business, was renowned for its intricate ceramic designs, particularly elegant cups and tureens, in the mid-19th century.

Read Samuel's full story in Art Whisper
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