Pitcher

Art Historical Context

This elegant stoneware pitcher, crafted by Norwich Pottery and attributed to Sidney Risley between1845 and 1875, measures 10½ inches (26.7 cm) in height. Now part of The American Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Artthanks to the generous 2011 gift of Emma and Jay Lewis—it represents the sturdy, practical ceramics that defined mid-19th-century American. Stoneware, a durable medium fired at high temperatures to create a non-porous,-proof body, was ideal for everyday items like pitchers used for serving water or beverages. Norwich Pottery, based in Connecticut, contributed to the thriving American pottery tradition during this era, blending functionality with modest decorative appeal amid rapid industrialization. As a cultural artifact, this piece offers a glimpse into antebellum and Reconstruction-era domestic life, showcasing the ingenuity of American artisans who elevated utilitarian objects into enduring symbols of regional craftsmanship.

About the Artist

Norwich Pottery|Sidney Risley ( |American) · 1809 | –1819 |9999

ca. 1814–1875|