Collection Online as of May 20, 2022

Rim for a Monteith Bowl

1715-16

Part of a set. See all set records

fabricated by

Benjamin Pyne

(English, active 1693-1727)

England, London

Silver gilt

Diameter: 32.9 cm (12 15/16 in.)

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Warren H. Corning 1965.467.b

Location

203A British Painting and Decorative Arts

Fun Fact

The name Monteith is said to come from a mythical Scotsman named Monteigh, who wore cloaks with a similar notched pattern.

Description

This bowl’s notched rim allows for glasses to be suspended in water for cooling and cleansing between courses during a long dinner. The rim can be removed and the bowl used for punch as well. A year before Benjamin Pyne began this bowl, he was appointed Subordinate Goldsmith to the King in preparation for George I’s coronation (r. 1714–1727). Like much of his work, this Monteith bowl is characterized by its scale and simplicity.

Inscriptions

Inscription

engraved, center of bowl: arms, crest of Byam family (mantling and helmet were probably engraved at time bowl was made, crest and arms were altered to those of Byam at later date). Rim engraved with Byam Crest (also presumably not original).

Provenance

Anthony de Rothschild

Warren Holmes [1841-1899] and Mary Helen Wick [1841-1929] Corning, Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art

1965-

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

Citations

Lee, Sherman E. "Golden Anniversary Acquisitions: September 10 through October 16." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 53, no. 7 (September 1966): 181-284. Mentioned: p. 277; Reproduced: p. 224, listed no. 14 www.jstor.org

Birk, Eileen F. "Current and Coming - Anniversary Year Celebrations." Antiques 90 (September 1966). Reproduced: p. 286 library.clevelandart.org

The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1969. Cleveland: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1969. Reproduced: p. 151 archive.org

The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1978. Cleveland: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1978. Reproduced: p. 192 archive.org

Lee, Georgina E., and Ronald A. Lee. Monteith Bowls, Including American and European Examples. Byfleet: Manor House Press, 1978. Mentioned: p. 46; Reproduced: pl. 47 library.clevelandart.org

Exhibition history

No legacy exhibitions.

British Gallery Reinstallation (June 2020). The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer).