In 1876, the United States celebrated the Declaration of Independence’s hundred-year anniversary with the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. One of the flashiest contributions came from Brooklyn-based Union Porcelain Works, which hired German-born artist Karl L. H. Müller to design the Century Vase and accompanying pedestal. Along the middle of the three horizontal bands of the vase—wedged in between portraits of George Washington and buffalo heads—are scenes of American technological progress, while below are events from American history. The pedestal features illustrations of the ancient Greek story of Elektra, a murderous tale of political upheaval with similarities to the struggle for American independence.