Pitcher

Art Historical Context

Step into the refined world of mid-19th-century American with this elegant *Pitcher* from the States Pottery Company, crafted 1852 and 1858. Produced in Bennington, Vermont, piece exemplifies the company's ambition to rival European luxury goods during a booming era of American manufacturing. Standing at 8⅞ inches tall, it's a testament to the ingenuity of U.S. potters seeking to elevate everyday objects into art. Made of Parian porcelain—an unglazed, matte bisque ware mimicking the soft glow of Parian marble from the Greek island of Paros—this pitcher highlights a key innovation in 19th-century ceramics. Popularized in England and adopted in America, Parian allowed for intricate detailing, especially in the human figures adorning its surface (as noted in its tags). These delicate, classical-inspired motifs reflect the era's fascination with neoclassicism and the decorative arts movement, blending functionality with sculptural finesse. Housed in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, thanks to a 1947 gift from Dr. Charles W. Green, this pitcher captures the cultural pride of antebellum America. It showcases how pottery firms like United States Pottery bridged utility and ornament, making fine porcelain accessible to a growing middle class while nodding to timeless artistic ideals. A charming fusion of form and figure!