Covered Milk Jug
Medium
ceramics
Classification
ceramics
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of George B. and Georgiana L. McClellan
Accession Number
1936-13-50-a,b
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's ceramics collection, this *Covered Milk Jug* hails from Italy's renowned Doccia Porcelain Factory, in 1735 near Florence. Dating to around 1780, it the factory's mastery of porcelain production during the late 18th century, a period when European makers vied to rival the finesse of Chinese imports. As a gift from George B. and Georgiana. McClellan, delicate vessel highlights the enduring appeal of functional yet elegant tableware. Doccia, one of Italy's pioneering porcelain works, specialized in high-fired ceramics that combined technical innovation with artistic refinement. The covered milk jug, with its lidded design, served practical purposes in affluent households while showcasing the factory's skill in shaping and glazing durable, translucent porcelain. Such pieces were prized for their role in daily rituals elevated to art, reflecting Enlightenment-era tastes for symmetry and understated luxury. Though research on this specific jug is ongoing, it stands as a testament to Doccia's legacy in bridging utility and beauty. Visitors can appreciate how these ceramics captured the cultural exchange between Europe and Asia, making everyday objects symbols of sophistication. (198 words)