Shell basin

ca. 1730

German, 1706 - after 1738

Although modeled in the scallop-shell form that became so popular in the rococo period, this basin still exhibits the symmetrical style of the baroque. Its designer, Kirchner, a court sculptor before he came to Meissen in 1727, had previously been occupied with a commission of baroque sculpture ordered by Augustus the Strong for the courtyard of his palace, the Zwinger. At Meissen, Kirchner experimented with porcelain vases and figures on a grand scale, many of which exhibit a myriad of cracks. Also large for its time, this basin was nevertheless manageable.

Hard paste porcelain

2 3/8 x 18 x 15 in. (6.03 x 45.8 x 38.1 cm)

Gift of Martha and Henry Isaacson in honor of the museum's 50th year

83.222

Photo: Paul Macapia

Now on view at the Seattle Art Museum

Media

Image Coming Soon

SAM's Porcelain Room

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. 210

Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.

Learn more about Equity at SAM