Jazz Bowl — Viktor Schreckengost

“This iconic "Jazz Bowl" is a dynamic snapshot of 1930s New York City, originally designed for Eleanor Roosevelt. Its lively scratched designs capture the energy of the Jazz Age, from skyscrapers to musicians, all in a striking blue glaze.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

This striking punch bowl, a vibrant Egyptian blue, captures the frenetic energy of New York City's Jazz Age. Its surface is alive with scratched lines, revealing the lighter clay beneath the dark glaze in a technique called sgraffito. Look closely, and you'll see a dynamic panorama of skyscrapers, taxis, and musicians, all rendered in a rhythmic, almost syncopated style that perfectly embodies the era's soundtrack. Originally commissioned by Eleanor Roosevelt as a gift for her husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, to celebrate his re-election as governor of New York, this piece quickly became an icon. The Cowan Pottery company, impressed by its design, put the "Jazz Bowl" into production, allowing more people to bring a piece of New York nightlife into their homes.

DETAILS

Artist: Viktor Schreckengost
Date: 1931
Medium: Earthenware, glaze, and engobe
Location: Art Institute of Chicago
Dimensions: 23.5 × 42.6 × 43.2 cm (9 1/4 × 16 3/4 × 17 in.)
Collection: Arts of the Americas
Culture: Rocky River
Credit line: Through prior acquisition of the Antiquarian Society; Thorne Rooms Exhibition Fund; bequest of Elizabeth R. Vaughan; and the Winfield Foundation

LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

Five details hide in plain sight. Pick one and we’ll show you exactly where to look.

← → step through · Esc to close

4 details are marked · pick a number

01Whole painting

Blue against black

Bright turquoise blue glows against the black ground, so the whole bowl feels like a city lit up at night. The imagery wraps around the curved form.

The central medallion

A round, ringed emblem sits near the bowl's center, with tilted blocky letters, zigzags and stars inside. It gives the scene a lively, jazz-era nightlife feel.

1 of 4 on the painting

Skyscrapers on the left

Stacked, windowed towers crowd the left side, standing in for New York's skyline. Their stepped shapes suit the city and the Art Deco style.

2 of 4 on the painting

Radiating sunburst

Fan-shaped rays with arched, window-like tips spread out from the medallion. The beams give the scene rhythm, like stage lights or a pulsing beat.

3 of 4 on the painting

Stars and moon inside

Look inside the rim to find stars, a round moon and wavy lines along the dark interior. They carry the night scene past the outer wall.

4 of 4 on the painting

AUDIO DEEP DIVE

Stand in front of it and listen

The full narration walks you through Jazz Bowl — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.

Get the free app

0:00Preview · 0:30Free preview · 0:30 Hear the full story in the app

THE ARTIST