Pitcher
Unknown Artist
1830–70
Medium
Parian porcelain
Dimensions
4 1/4 x 4 5/8 x 3 3/8 in. (10.8 x 11.7 x 8.6 cm)
Classification
Pitcher
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Dr. Charles W. Green, 1947
Accession Number
47.90.90
Tags
Art Historical Context
Nestled in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum Art, this petite Parian porcelain pitcher ( 1/4 x 4 5/8 x 3 3/8 in.), crafted by an unknown American artist between 1830 and 1870, embodies the refined domestic artistry of mid-19th-century America. Gifted by Dr. Charles W. in 1947, its delicate form—adorned with motifs of and expressive faces—suggests both functionality for serving and ornamental charm for the Victorian tabletop. Parian porcelain, unglazed and matte-white like fine marble from the Greek island of Paros, gained popularity in the United States during this era for its clas...