Covered Dish, Battleship with Admiral George Dewey
American
Brooklyn Museum photograph
Caption
American. Covered Dish, Battleship with Admiral George Dewey, 1899. Glass, 4 1/4 x 6 5/8 x 3 in. (10.8 x 16.8 x 7.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. William Greig Walker by subscription, 40.260a-b. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Culture
Title
Covered Dish, Battleship with Admiral George Dewey
Date
1899
Geography
Place manufactured: United States
Medium
Glass
Classification
Dimensions
4 1/4 x 6 5/8 x 3 in. (10.8 x 16.8 x 7.6 cm)
Inscriptions
Molded on side of lid, below portrait bust: "DEWEY"
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. William Greig Walker by subscription
Accession Number
40.260a-b
Frequent Art Questions
What can you tell me about these butter dishes?
These were created in the United States in 1880 and they are made of a material called "milk glass."The dish at the center of your image shows the figure of Uncle Sam sitting atop the Battleship Maine and is a souvenir of the Spanish American War (Uncle Sam actually serves as the handle for removing the top). This may be representative of the push towards patriotism that was being felt in the United States during this time period. The other dish has a portrait bust of Admiral Dewey, Admiral of the US Navy during the Civil War and the only man to hold that title. He sits atop a US shop and it actually says his last name 'DEWEY,' below his bust.
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