Pitcher
Unknown Artist
1820–40
Medium
Blown molded lead glass
Dimensions
H. 3 in. (7.6 cm); Diam. 2 1/4 in. (5.7 cm)
Classification
Pitcher
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1910
Accession Number
10.60.43
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Pitcher*, crafted between 1820 and 1840, exemplifies early American glassmaking ingenuity. Standing just 3 inches tall with a diameter of 2 inches, this petite vessel from the blown molded lead glass tradition was likely used for serving cream, spirits, or condiments at the table. Its compact size and elegant form reflect the practical yet refined tastes of middle-class American households during the young republic's expansion. The medium—blown molded lead—marks a pivotal advancement in 19th-century American industry. Artisans blew molten glass into intricately carved molds, cr...