Hot milk pot (?)
Medium
Silver; ebony
Dimensions
Height: 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Silver
Culture
French, Paris
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Catherine D. Wentworth, 1948
Accession Number
48.187.127
Art Historical Context
This elegant hot milk pot, crafted by Parisian silversmith Jean-Louis-Dieudonné Outrebon around 1778–79, exemplifies the refined artistry of late 18th-century French decorative metalwork. Standing just 5¼ inches tall, its slender silver body paired with an ebony handle reflects the opulence of Louis XVI-era households, where such vessels were essential for serving warmed milk in fashionable breakfasts or evening indulgences. The tentative title underscores the pot's specialized function, likely designed to gently heat and pour creamy beverages without scorching—a practical luxury for the elite...