Pitcher

Art Historical Context

This delicate porcelain pitcher, crafted by Lycett in 1876, exemplifies the rising sophistication of American ceramics during the nation's Centennial year. Measuring 9 1/2 inches (24.1 cm) in height, it reflects the era's ambition to produce luxury goods domestically, moving beyond imported European wares. Lycett, a skilled potter active in New York, helped elevate porcelain as a medium for everyday elegance and artistic expression in Gilded Age households. Porcelain's translucency and durability made it prized for functional objects like pitchers, often showcasing intricate molding and glazing techniques. This piece, housed in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, underscores the cultural shift toward American-made artistry, celebrating industrial innovation amid post-Civil War prosperity. Gifted by Emma and Jay Lewis in 2014, it invites visitors to appreciate how such vessels bridged utility and beauty in 19th-century life.