Othello Plaque
J. C. Meyenberg (Rookwood Pottery (American, 1880–1967); Sold by Duhme & Co. (American, 1843-1893); Cincinatti, Ohio)
1884
- Medium
- Earthenware and glaze
- Classification
- Ceramics
- Dimensions
- Diam.: 40.6 cm (15 1/4 in.)
- Culture
- Cincinnati
- Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago, Arts of the Americas
- Credit line
- Through prior acquisition of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh J. Smith Jr.
- Rights
- Public domain (CC0), as the museum states it.
- Who can see it
- Tweens profiles and older: its subjects are known and suit older children. How works are placed
View at the Art Institute of Chicago
About this work
Seen as exotic, Islamic-style decorative motifs enjoyed great popularity in the United States in the 1880s, and William Shakespeare’s play Othello offered a famous example of a Moorish subject. Created by Rookwood Pottery, one of the earliest art pottery makers in the United States, this rare plaque may have been commissioned to commemorate a local production of the play. Alternatively, it might reflect the well-described popularity of Shakespeare in 19th-century America. The designer evoked the main character’s Moorish origins by inscribing his name in pseudo-Arabic script and using concentric bands of stylized foliate and calligraphic motifs reminiscent of Islamic architectural decoration.
Description © Art Institute of Chicago, CC BY 4.0
