ticketsMember | Make a donation

Decanter

ca. 1826–35
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 704
One of a pair (its mate is in the Philadelphia Museum of Art), this decanter features elaborate cut decoration. It is distinguished by a sulphide portrait of Benjamin Franklin on the front. A difficult technique developed in Europe, a high-fired ceramic material is embedded into a bubble of glass, which is then deflated so the image is surrounded by glass. Highly fashionable in France, sulphide portrait decoration was first produced in America by the Pittsburgh firm Bakewell, Page, and Bakewell in 1825 in an effort to compete with European glass manufacturers. The Museum has two glass tumblers with sulphide portraits embedded in their bases, one depicting George Washington (1984.152), the other Lafayette (47.44).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Decanter
  • Maker: Bakewell, Page & Bakewell (1808–1882)
  • Date: ca. 1826–35
  • Geography: Made in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Blown and cut glass; clay cameo
  • Dimensions: H. 7 3/8 in. (18.7 cm)
  • Credit Line: Purchase, The Overbrook Foundation Gift, 1995
  • Object Number: 1995.13
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Decanter, Bakewell, Page & Bakewell American, Blown and cut glass, American
Decanter
Bakewell, Page & Bakewell
1820–35
Celery Vase, Bakewell, Page & Bakewell American, Blown lead glass, American
Celery Vase
Bakewell, Page & Bakewell
ca. 1825
Tumbler, Bakewell, Page & Bakewell American, Blown glass, American
Tumbler
Bakewell, Page & Bakewell
1825–30
Punchbowl, Bakewell, Page & Bakewell American, Blown, molded, pressed, and engraved glass, American
Punchbowl
Bakewell, Page & Bakewell
Benjamin Bakewell & Co.
1810–20
Compote, Bakewell, Page & Bakewell American, Blown and cut glass, American
Compote
Bakewell, Page & Bakewell
1820–35

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.