Meissen Porcelain Manufactory (established Meissen, Germany, 1710)
Bell, early 19th century
Painted porcelain, 10 x 7.6 cm (3 15/16 x 3 in.)
The body of this white porcelain bell is divided into four sections by a gold scroll design, which also wraps around the lip, or bottom, of the bell. Two of the four sections are painted yellow with blue, pink, and orange flowers. The other two sections display an equestrian scene: in one, a man, blowing a horn, rides a horse on a field of green with a light blue sky toward a stone structure and a tree in the background. In the other panel, the man walks next to the horse in the same idyllic scene. The neck and the handle of the bell are white with gold painted trim.
Little Salon
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.