Century Vase

Designer Designed by Karl L. H. Müller American
Manufacturer Manufactured by Union Porcelain Works American
ca. 1876
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 719
Nationalistic motifs embellish this pair (see 69.194.2) of vases designed by sculptor Karl Müller in honor of America’s 1876 Centennial. Native American plants decorate the body and North American bison heads serve as handles. A profile portrait of George Washington embellishes each side, and the six biscuit relief panels around the base each depict scenes from American history – among them a minuteman with his cannon, William Penn signing a treaty with Native Americans, and the Boston Tea Party.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Century Vase
  • Designer: Designed by Karl L. H. Müller (1820–1887)
  • Manufacturer: Manufactured by Union Porcelain Works (1863–1922)
  • Date: ca. 1876
  • Geography: Made in Brooklyn, New York, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Porcelain
  • Dimensions: H. 12 3/4 in. (32.4 cm)
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Chace, 1969
  • Object Number: 69.194.1
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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