French, Paris
Planter (Jardiniere), about 1790-1800
Brown enamel and gilding on hard paste porcelain, 23.2 x 33.3 cm (9 1/8 x 13 1/8 in.)
This round, porcelain planter is decorated with a cattle herder and pasture scene on one side and a violent dog fight on the other, both in brown enamel. There is a delicate floral pattern around the base in gold, and gilded bands around the base and rim. Two round gilded handles separate the two scenes opposite each other on the neck of the planter. The pasture scene features several bulls, a sheep, and goat in the foreground of a natural landscape of mountains and trees. On our right is a man in a wide-brimmed hat seated comfortably on a large rock. The opposite side of the planter depicts four dogs of similar breeds fighting a larger dog at the center. The images are depicted in great detail, as the leaves on the trees, grass on the ground, and the fur on the animals show individual strokes to make up the larger scenes.
Short Gallery
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.