Century Vase
The “Century Vase” is one of several large works designed by the German sculptor Karl L. H. Müller for the Union Porcelain Works booth at the Centennial Exhibition held in Philadelphia in 1876. It was originally intended to be displayed on a porcelain pedestal, also designed by Müller. George Washington’s profile is featured on the front and back of the vase, flanked by bison-head handles. Six relief panels portraying scenes from American history, including the Boston Tea Party and William Penn’s treaty with the Lenni Lenape, encircle the base. The unfinished vase lacks the painted scenes of American industrial progress found on two of the other large-scale other examples.
Artwork Details
- Title: Century Vase
- Designer: Designed by Karl L. H. Müller (1820–1887)
- Manufacturer: Union Porcelain Works (1863–1922)
- Date: 1876
- Geography: Made in Brooklyn, New York, United States
- Culture: American
- Medium: Porcelain
- Dimensions: Overall: H. 22 1/4 in. (56.5 cm); Diam. 17 3/8 in. (44.1 cm)
Lip: Diam. 13 1/8 in. (33.3 cm) - Credit Line: Purchase, Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Scheider Gift, 1996
- Object Number: 1996.95
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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Karl L. H. Müller
1876
Karl L. H. Müller
Union Porcelain Works
ca. 1884
Karl L. H. Müller
Union Porcelain Works
ca. 1876
Karl L. H. Müller
Union Porcelain Works
ca. 1863
Karl L. H. Müller
Union Porcelain Works
ca. 1876
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