Pitcher

Art Historical Context

This charming earthenware pitcher, crafted 1850 and 1857 by Charles Coxon the esteemed E. & W. Bennett Pottery in Baltimore, exemplifies mid-19th-century American at its most inventive. Standing at 10¼ x 10¾ inches, it served both practical and decorative purposes in American households, blending utility with artistic flair. Bennett Pottery was a powerhouse of the era, renowned for producing durable, affordable earthenware that rivaled imported wares during a time of growing national pride in domestic manufacturing. What sets this pitcher apart are its whimsical motifs—dragons, fish, and shells—molded or incised into the clay and likely enhanced with colorful glazes typical of Rockingham-style techniques. These fantastical elements evoke exotic influences, perhaps drawing from global trade imagery or folklore, adding a touch of wonder to everyday objects. Dragons, in particular, nod to Eastern aesthetics popular in Victorian America, while fish and shells celebrate the natural world. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, this piece highlights the creativity of U.S. potters post-Industrial Revolution, when mass production met artistic expression. Acquired through a generous gift in 2004, it invites us to appreciate how ordinary vessels became canvases for imagination.

About the Artist

Charles Coxon|E. & W. Bennett Pottery (American|American) · 1805 |1847 –1805 |1857

1805–1868|American, Baltimore, Maryland 1847–1857