Flower brick

Dateca. 1760

MediumTin-glazed earthenware (delft / delftware)

DimensionsH: 4 1/8" L&W: 5"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1938-17,1

DescriptionOne of a pair of square bricks with tapered sides and recessed tops and bases. Five large holes in the top, one in each corner and one in the middle, and four smaller holes in between each corner hole. Blue tin glaze decorated with chinoiserie flowers in manganese with touches of yellow on leaves and petals; insects and stylized corner decorations in mixed green and manganese. Each panel outlined in blue, blue petal-like shapes around large holes, and smaller holes outlined in manganese.
Label TextThese bricklike containers are thought to have been intended for flowers and those with the larger holes for bulbs as well. A piece in the Bristol Museum of the same size and shape is painted with a landscape typical of London workmanship.
InscribedNo
MarkingsNo
ProvenanceGuitel Montague, New York