Pitcher

Art Historical Context

This elegant pitcher, crafted by the Jersey Glass Company under George Dummer between 1845 and 1870, exemplifies mid-19th-century American glassmaking ingenuity. Standing at 8 inches tall, it was designed as a functional yet decorative tableware piece, reflecting the era's growing demand for refined household goods amid America's industrial expansion. Produced in New Jersey—a hub for innovative glassworks—the pitcher now graces the Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, thanks to a generous gift in 1920. The medium, cased free-blown white opaque and colorless glass, highlights masterful techniques of the time. Free-blowing involved shaping molten glass on a blowpipe without molds, allowing fluid, organic forms, while "casing" layered opaque white glass over a clear base for a luminous, milky effect prized in Victorian homes. This labor-intensive process showcased artisans' skill, blending utility with subtle artistry in an age before mass production dominated. As a snapshot of American craftsmanship, the pitcher underscores the Jersey Glass Company's role in elevating everyday objects into heirlooms, bridging European traditions with homegrown innovation during a period of national pride in manufacturing. Visitors will appreciate its timeless appeal in evoking 19th-century domestic life.