Century Vase

Karl L. H. Müller|Union Porcelain Works

1876 · Porcelain · The American Wing

The “Century Vase” is one of several large works designed by the German sculptor Karl L. H. Müller for the Union Porcelain Works booth at the Centennial Exhibition held in Philadelphia in 1876. It was originally intended to be displayed on a porcelain pedestal, also designed by Müller. George Washington’s profile is featured on the front and back of the vase, flanked by bison-head handles. Six relief panels portraying scenes from American history, including the Boston Tea Party and William Penn’s treaty with the Lenni Lenape, encircle the base. The unfinished vase lacks the painted scenes of American industrial progress found on two of the other large-scale other examples.

Artist

Karl L. H. Müller|Union Porcelain Works

Date

1876

Medium

Porcelain

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Purchase, Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Scheider Gift, 1996