Serveware photos on Flickr

Celadons, spoons, seals, and bronze mirrors were the most common burial objects in tombs during the Goryeo period (918–1392). Once used to contain colored powder, rouge, and eyebrow gel for makeup, this small container was one of the standard goods that furnished elites' tombs. Both women and men used the grain powder of rice or millet for whitening their skin, safflower extract for rouge, and plant ash or soot for eyebrow gel. Yet, natural-looking makeup seems to have been the most favorable one in Korea according to the travelogue by Xu Jing (1091–1153), the Chinese diplomat who visited Korea in 1123.

Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918–1392)

inlaid celadon ware

Body: 2.2 x 7.5 cm (7/8 x 2 15/16 in.); Overall: 3.9 cm (1 9/16 in.)

Did you know...

This ceramic container was used to store either incense or cosmetics.

Gift of John L. Severance

clevelandart.org/art/1928.167

Vase | 1830–70 by museado

7 1/4 x 4 3/8 x 3 3/4 in. (18.4 x 11.1 x 9.5 cm)

medium: Parian porcelain

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 47.90.22 1947

Gift of Dr. Charles W. Green, 1947

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/9246

Waste-water basin | ca. 1775 by museado

H. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm); Diam. 7 in. (17.8 cm)

medium: Pottery (Bizen ware)

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 25.215.44 1925

Fletcher Fund, 1925

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/47954

Soup Dish | ca. 1860–66 by museado

Diam. 10 in. (25.4 cm)

medium: Porcelain

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 60.111.98 1960

Gift of Elizabeth Hazard and Marion H. McVitty, in memory of their mother, Mrs. Lauriston H. Hazard, 1960

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/7625

Toby Pitcher | Lyman, Fenton & Co. 1849–52 by museado

Lyman, Fenton & Co.

1849–52

H. 6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm); Diam. 5 1/8 in. (13 cm)

medium: Mottled brown earthenware

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 67.157 1967

Gift of Mrs. Charles Beekman Bull, in memory of her mother, Alice Hawke Reimer, 1967

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/8679

Candlestick | 1790–1820 by museado

7 1/4 x 5 1/4 in. (18.4 x 13.3 cm)

medium: Brass

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 30.120.152 1930

The Sylmaris Collection, Gift of George Coe Graves, 1930

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/1378

Lotus cup | late 18th century by museado

H. 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm); Diam. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm)

medium: Porcelain painted in overglaze polychrome enamels (Jingdezhen ware)

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 79.2.759 1879

Purchase by subscription, 1879

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/46404

Cream Jug | 1780–1820 by museado

H. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm)

medium: Blown pattern-molded lead blue glass

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 13.120.16 1913

Gift of Frederick W. Hunter, 1913

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/2596

Pyx c. 1250 by museado

France, Limousin, Limoges, Gothic period, mid-13th century

gilded copper, champlevé enamel

Overall: 8.3 x 10.4 cm (3 1/4 x 4 1/8 in.)

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund

clevelandart.org/art/1952.328

Plate | Enoch Wood & Sons British, active Burslem, 1818–46 by museado

Enoch Wood & Sons

British, active Burslem, 1818–46

Diam. 10 in. (25.4 cm)

medium: Earthenware, transfer-printed

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 16.83.9 1916

Bequest of May Leask, 1916

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/6232

Batter jug | 1882–85 by museado

9 × 10 1/2 in. (22.9 × 26.7 cm)

medium: Stoneware

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 26.245 1926

Gift of Miss Levantia Halsey, 1926

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/5494

The Wade Cup with Animated Script 1200–1221 by museado

The highlight of the cup’s decoration is the inscription around the rim, which you see on the walls around you, with letters composed of human figures, animals, and birds. This is known as animated script and it developed in northeast Iran or Afghanistan during the mid-1100s and migrated westward. The inscription on the rim of the Wade Cup is the pinnacle of this form of script with its full-figure animation. The body of the cup is covered with interlacing bands of compartments containing tiny figures of humans and animals. These represent the 12 signs of the zodiac from astrology, the practice of interpreting the influence of planets and stars on earthly affairs. Astrology began in Mesopotamia, was adopted by the Greeks, and then absorbed into medieval Islamic culture through translations of Greek texts.

Iran, Seljuq period of Iran (1037–1194)

brass inlaid with silver

Overall: 11.5 cm (4 1/2 in.); Diameter: 16.1 cm (6 5/16 in.)

Did you know...

This is known as the Wade Cup, after J. H. Wade who bequeathed the funds for its acquisition

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund

clevelandart.org/art/1944.485

Flask c. 1835 by museado

America, South Jersey Type, 19th century

glass

Overall: 17.2 x 2 cm (6 3/4 x 13/16 in.); Base: 3.2 x 5.1 cm (1 1/4 x 2 in.)

John L. Severance Fund

clevelandart.org/art/1951.111

Charger Depicting the Three Graces c. 1525 by museado

During the Renaissance, an understanding of classical antiquity was perceived to be a sign of social, intellectual, and economic distinction. Scenes from Greco-Roman mythology were prominently featured on maiolica, covering the surface in a style called <em>istoriato </em>(decorated with stories). This depiction of the three graces was likely based on an engraving by the Renaissance printmaker, Marcantonio Raimondi.

Italy, Urbino region, Gubbio, 16th century

tin-glazed earthenware with gold lustre (maiolica)

Diameter: 44.8 cm (17 5/8 in.)

Did you know...

In Greek mythology, the three graces represent the daughters of Zeus who embodied charm, beauty, and creativity.

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund

clevelandart.org/art/1945.2

Cooking Bowl before 1927 by museado

California (?), Native American, Unassigned

twined

Overall: 14.8 x 21 cm (5 13/16 x 8 1/4 in.)

Gift of Edward S. Sawyer

clevelandart.org/art/1927.266

Incense Burner | 1760 by museado

H. 3 in. (7.6 cm)

medium: White porcelain decorated with enamels and gold (Nabeshima ware)

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 93.3.299a, b 1893

Gift of Charles Stewart Smith, 1893

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/46984

Cordial | 1830–70 by museado

H. 3 5/16 in. (8.4 cm)

medium: Pressed glass

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 46.140.184 1946

Gift of Mrs. Emily Winthrop Miles, 1946

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/2267

Covered goblet | New Bremen Glass Manufactory|John Frederick Amelung 1784–1795|active 1784–ca. 1791 by museado

New Bremen Glass Manufactory

1784–1795

H. 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm)

medium: Blown and engraved glass

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 28.52a, b 1928

Rogers Fund, 1928

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/2390

Bowl | 18th century by museado

H. 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm); Diam. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm)

medium: Pottery with designs in underglaze blue and white, overglaze red (Kyoto ware)

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 91.1.353 1891

Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/47265

Jar with Tiger-Headed Spout: Yue Ware late 200s–late 300s CE by museado

China, Western Jin dynasty (265-316 CE)

glazed stoneware

Overall: 20.5 cm (8 1/16 in.)

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund

clevelandart.org/art/1970.152

Console Table c. 1720 by museado

France, 18th century

carved and painted wood, marble

Overall: 84.5 x 97.5 x 51.5 cm (33 1/4 x 38 3/8 x 20 1/4 in.); Top: 2.3 x 97.5 x 51.5 cm (7/8 x 38 3/8 x 20 1/4 in.)

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund

clevelandart.org/art/1923.225

Corinthian Vase (lid) 600s BCE by museado

Greece

earthenware

Overall: 14.5 cm (5 11/16 in.)

Gift of J. H. Wade

clevelandart.org/art/1924.874.b

Cylinder Vessel with Deities 600–900 by museado

Between AD 600 and 900, Maya cities and towns mushroomed in number, interacted, and competed. Since a distinctive ceramic painting style was part of many centers' identities, the number of styles exploded and painted pottery became a hallmark of the era. This vessel, painted with a ruler's patron deity (God K), is of a style produced briefly in one area of Guatemala's Chamá Valley.

Guatemala, Kixpek, Maya (Chamá) style (250-900)

earthenware with colored slips

Diameter of mouth: 15.5 x 16.5 cm (6 1/8 x 6 1/2 in.); Overall: 16.6 cm (6 9/16 in.)

John L. Severance Fund and an anonymous gift

clevelandart.org/art/1954.391

Lenox Serveware, But by Shreshthaj

via Shreshtha Jangid ift.tt/1dqExuv

Wedding Cake Toasting Flutes Cake Serveware and Invitation by lisah6371

20170827-JCR_9044.jpg by jcr0

Covered Toy Tureen | Boston & Sandwich Glass Company American, 1825–1888, Sandwich, Massachusetts by museado

Boston & Sandwich Glass Company

American, 1825–1888, Sandwich, Massachusetts

2 x 3 1/16 x 1 7/8 in. (5.1 x 7.8 x 4.8 cm)

medium: Lacy pressed glass

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 1991.30.3a, b 1991

Gift of the Estate of Marguerite Raeder Laporte, 1991

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/14285

Pitcher | 1815–40 by museado

H. 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm)

medium: Blown-molded glass

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 40.13.2 1940

Rogers Fund, 1940

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/5709

Chest | ca. 1780 by museado

28 5/8 x 52 1/2 x 23 in. (72.7 x 133.4 x 58.4 cm)

medium: Yellow pine, tulip poplar

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 23.16 1923

Rogers Fund, 1923

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/3395

Repeater Watch | Samuel Dupont by museado

Samuel Dupont

2 1/2 x 1 3/4 in. (6.4 x 4.4 cm)

medium: Gold, diamonds, glass

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 44.125 1944

Gift of Judith C. Verplanck, 1944

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/6860

Saltcellar | 1830–40 by museado

H. 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm)

medium: Blown pattern-molded lead amethyst glass

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 13.120.30 1913

Gift of Frederick W. Hunter, 1913

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/6971

Bottle | 18th century by museado

H. 8 in. (20.3 cm)

medium: White porcelain decorated with blue under the glaze (Arita ware)

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 79.2.1152 1879

Purchase by subscription, 1879

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/47809

Goblet | Anthony Rasch ca. 1778–1858 by museado

Anthony Rasch

ca. 1778–1858

Overall: 6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm); 8 oz. 3 dwt. (254.2 g)

Lip: Diam. 4 1/16 in. (10.3 cm)

Foot: Diam. 2 11/16 in. (6.8 cm)

medium: Silver

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY 1971.153.1 1971

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Kessler, 1971

www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/4127

Figure of Britannia c. 1756 by museado

In this depiction of Britannia, the figure is surrounded by symbols of England’s power and military might. On one side, she and a lion, another symbol of Britain, support a shield adorned with the Union flag. Below it lay motifs associated with war such as armor, a trumpet, and a flag. On her left, Britannia presents a medallion to the viewer as she rests her feet on a globe, a symbol of the nation’s territorial aspirations. The portrait may depict the reigning king, George II (1683–1760), or Prince Frederick Louis (1707–1751), his recently deceased heir.

England, Staffordshire

soft-paste porcelain

Overall: 28 x 24.5 x 13.7 cm (11 x 9 5/8 x 5 3/8 in.)

Did you know...

The creation of this triumphant personification of the nation was likely spurred on by Great Britain’s conflict with France in the Seven Years’ War (1756–63).

Bequest of Mary Warden Harkness

clevelandart.org/art/1917.626

Pitcher | 1800–1830 by museado