Pitcher

Art Historical Context

This stoneware pitcher stands with a full, rounded body that rises to a short neck and a slightly flared rim featuring a practical pouring lip. A thick, curved handle extends from the neck down to the shoulder, while faint horizontal lines encircle the form, evidence of the potter’s wheel. The surface displays a mottled, salt-glazed finish in warm tones of brown, tan, and gray, with subtle variations that catch the light and reveal the material’s texture. Stamped lettering appears on one side of the vessel, identifying its makers. Produced between 1814 and 1828 by Peleg Armstrong and Erastus Wentworth, this pitcher belongs to the tradition of American stoneware made for everyday use. Such durable, functional objects were common in early nineteenth-century households, combining simple, pleasing proportions with the strength needed for daily service. Today it resides in the American Wing of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it quietly illustrates the skill and practicality of early American potters.