Named in reference to the ancient marble quarry on the Greek island of Parros, parian has a higher proportion of feldspar than conventional porcelain, resulting in a vitrified biscuit body that resembles white statuary marble. Stylish and affordable, parian statuary and hollowware were extremely popular household ornaments in the mid-nineteenth century. This vase (one of a pair, 47.90.33) was likely made by the United States Pottery Company, which exhibited parian to great acclaim at the 1853 New York Crystal Palace Exhibition in New York.
Credit: Gift of Dr. Charles W. Green, 1947
1830-70
Parian porcelain
21.6cm
47.90.34
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019
Where you'll find this
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Permanent collection