Pitcher

Art Historical Context

This elegant earthenware pitcher, made by the British firm Davenport between 1857 and 1890, reflects the flourishing trade in household ceramics between Britain and the United States during the Victorian era. Standing 13 inches tall, its practical form was crafted specifically for the market, where such durable were prized for both daily use and modest decoration. Davenport was known for producing affordable yet well-made earthenware that combined functionality with subtle refinement. As an export item, this pitcher illustrates the cultural and economic connections that supplied American homes with British goods, bridging two nations through everyday objects of the period. Now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s American Wing, the piece was acquired in 1982 through the Friends of the American Wing Fund. It offers visitors a glimpse into the transatlantic exchange of design and craftsmanship that shaped 19th-century domestic life.