Vase

United States Pottery Company

1849–58 · Parian porcelain · The American Wing

Named in reference to the ancient marble quarry on the Greek island of Parros, parian has a higher proportion of feldspar than conventional porcelain, resulting in a vitrified biscuit body that resembles white statuary marble. Stylish and affordable, parian statuary and hollowware were extremely popular household ornaments in the mid-nineteenth century. This vase (one of a pair, 47.90.12) was likely made by the United States Pottery Company, which exhibited parian to great acclaim at the 1853 New York Crystal Palace Exhibition in New York.

Artist

United States Pottery Company

Date

1849–58

Medium

Parian porcelain

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Dr. Charles W. Green, 1947