Soup tureen

Tureen and lid
Porcelain, enamel, gilt
c. 1800

Tureen, lid and platter
Porcelain, enamel, gilt
c. 1800

Status

Not on view

Label Text

While visiting England, Thomas Law purchased this set of tablewares with the intention of presenting it to his estranged wife, Eliza Parke Custis Law, a granddaughter of Martha Washington. Upon his return, the couple formally separated, and in 1810, when their divorce was finalized, Law gave the service to a friend who had handled the legal proceedings, Rep. William Czar Bradley of Vermont.

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Datec. 1804

Geography Made - England

Medium/TechniquePorcelain (soft-paste), enamel, gilt

DimensionsOverall (H x W x D): 9 in. x 12 5/8 in. x 8 3/4 in. (22.86 cm x 32.07 cm x 22.23 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. William Bradley Willard, 1986

Object numberH-3030/A1-A2

DescriptionA1:
Oval, baluster-shaped tureen with scrolled shell handles on opposite sides on a pedestal foot, decorated with overglaze polychrome enamels and gilt. The rim exterior has a gilded edge, an upper row of alternating red roses with green stems and leaves and gilded wheat ears, a central row of gilded wheat ears, and a lower row of alternating red roses and gilded wheat ears. The ribs of the shell handles are picked out in gilt and a gilded floral spray adorns the sides of each handle.

A2:
Oval, high-domed lid with a stem knop on a shallow foot ring, decorated with overglaze polychrome enamels and gilt. The rim exterior has a gilded edge, an outer row of alternating red roses with green stems and leaves and gilded wheat ears, a central row of gilded wheat ears, and an inner row of alternating red roses and gilded wheat ears. The ribs of the knop are picked out in gilded hatching. There is half-circular cutout in the rim on one side to accommodate a soup ladle.

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