Figure

ca. 1775

This figure, an example of "turquerie," signifies the influence of the Islamic world- especially the powerful Turkish Ottoman Empire-on Europeans in the eighteenth century. The "Turkish gentleman," with a crescent atop his turban, represented Asia in a series of allegorical figures symbolizing the continents, or the four quarters of the globe. The others included in this rather limited view of the world were Africa, America and Europe.

Hard paste porcelain with enamel colors and gilding

7 7/8 x 3 in. (20 x 7.62 cm)

Gift of Martha and Henry Isaacson

76.126

Provenance: Collection of Mr and Mrs Henry and Martha Isaacson, unknown purchase date until 1976; gift from Mr and Mrs Henry and Martha Isaacson to Seattle Art Museum, Washington, 1976

Photo: Paul Macapia

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Porcelain Stories: From China to Europe", February 17, 2000-May 7, 2000 (2/17/2000 - 5/7/2000)

Published ReferencesEmerson, Julie, Jennifer Chen, & Mimi Gardner Gates, "Porcelain Stories, From China to Europe", Seattle Art Museum, 2000, pg. 203

Seattle Art Museum. Seattle Art Museum Annual Report, 1976-1977, p. 21, not ill.

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