Punch Bowl

Description

Executed in the “neo-grec” style, this suite of silver was commissioned by the United States government and presented to Viscount d’Itajubá of Brazil in gratitude for his role in arbitrating grievances between the United States and Great Britain after the American Civil War. It was the first of three identical suites made by Tiffany and Company, as indicated on each piece by the “No. 1” stamped on the underside. Figures and symbols decorating these objects represent ancient Greek themes. The handles on the punch bowl portray Dionysus, the god of wine, and the wine coolers (1996.15.1-2) depict facemasks of Silenus, a woodland god and Dionysus’s constant companion. The full-figure, chased plaques on the wine coolers represent Agriculture and Commerce and were meant to symbolize the continued stability and prosperity of the United States after the Civil War.

Provenance

Viscount d'Itajubá (1805-1884); by descent to Baron von Jenisch of Hamburg (d. 1985) by 1985; with Sotheby's, New York, January 31, 1985, lot 19; sold to the Art Institute of Chicago, 1985.

Punch Bowl

Tiffany and Company

1873

Accession Number

132364

Medium

Silver

Dimensions

41.9 × 67.3 cm (16 1/2 × 26 1/2 in.)

Classification

punch bowl

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Purchased with funds provided by the Antiquarian Society through the Mr. and Mrs. William Y. Hutchinson Fund