Tureen Stand

DATE:: c. 1750–1760
MATERIAL AND TECHNIQUE:: Porcelain, overglaze enamels
CLASSIFICATION:: Containers
DIMENSIONS:: 2 7/8 × 19 5/8 × 17 1/4 in. (7.3 × 49.85 × 43.82 cm)
DEPARTMENT:: Decorative Arts and Design
LOCATION:: Wendy and Emery Reves Collection - Dining Room, Level 3
CREDIT LINE:: Dallas Museum of Art, The Wendy and Emery Reves Collection
OBJECT NUMBER:: 1985.R.855

General Description

The naturalistically painted carp, which seems to approach us three-dimensionally, provides the only color on this shaped tureen stand or platter outside of the gold fishnet and spearhead border and the four floral sprigs. Perhaps inspired by a Portuguese Baroque silver or faience prototype, this stand was probably made for the Portuguese market. No doubt it went under a fish-shaped molded tureen intended for fish soups and stews. The life-like carp with its rose tail, the vigorous twist of his body, his delicate pectoral fins, the endearing wide-eyed innocence of his whiskered head, is a delightful tour-de-force.

Excerpt from

Dallas Museum of Art, Decorative Arts Highlights from the Wendy and Emery Reves Collection (Dallas, Texas: Dallas Museum of Art, 1995), 200.