Cameo
MakerAttributed to
The Hartford Faience Co.
(founded 1895)
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
George Douglas Rankin Sr.
(American)
Dateabout 1910
MediumCast white and purple porcelain
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 6 3/8 x 4 1/2in. (16.2 x 11.4cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineGift of Margaret Rankin
Object number1986.160.2
DescriptionLarge, decorative, oval cameo made of a light purple, or lavender, porcelain background with white porcelain relief decoration. The relief decoration consists of a woman dressed in clingy, Grecian-inspired costume walking away from the viewer. She holds the hem of her dress in her right hand, while her left hand reaches around in front of her body to the right side of the raised decoration. She holds several flowers in her left hand which she is slowly dropping. Several flowers are still in her hand, but two are falling to the ground. Her head is visible in profile as it faces to the right.
There is a yellow substance in a few crevices between and white and purple porcelain, most noticeable at the hem of the woman's skirt. Additionally, during the manufacturing process, it would seem that someone used a sharp tool to scrape the edges around the white porcelain, perhaps to sharpen the relief. The top surface of the cameo has several light scratches around the edges. The back of the cameo is smooth, and bears the inscription "Hartford/ Porcelain Cameo".
NotesHistorical Note: George Douglas Rankin, the donor's father, was the President of the Hartford Faience Company in Hartford, Connecticut.There is a yellow substance in a few crevices between and white and purple porcelain, most noticeable at the hem of the woman's skirt. Additionally, during the manufacturing process, it would seem that someone used a sharp tool to scrape the edges around the white porcelain, perhaps to sharpen the relief. The top surface of the cameo has several light scratches around the edges. The back of the cameo is smooth, and bears the inscription "Hartford/ Porcelain Cameo".
Status
Not on view
