Description

Large Bowl and Cover, Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute

A quick sketch of a bowl and cover, lit from the left, and casting a shadow behind and to right.

The Thompson catalogue described the full subject as:

'No. 29. A Large Shaped Bowl and Cover, with silver mounts. On the body two panels, one representing a male figure presenting petition to a person of rank who holds a flower, behind him a chair and a table with embroidered cover, in front of which stands an attendant with a large raised fan or banner, and another holding a scroll; on either side warriors. On the other panel a man seated on a stool: behind him an attendant conversing with an official who is seated at a table on which are writing materials; in front a man presenting offering. The panels divided by symbolical ornaments. Round the neck a band of fret ornament surmounted by dots; on the cover boys playing amongst the rocks; round the edge a fret ornament, dots below. Painted in brilliant blue. Mark, double ring. Height, 10 ½ inches.' 1

Whistler illustrated the second of these scenes, but only the masses, not the details, are indicated in this sketch.