Water Pitcher and Basin

Art Historical Context

This elegant water pitcher and basin set was crafted by the Redwood Glass Works between 1833 and 1842. Produced in glass during America’s early industrial era, the matching pieces reflect the growing sophistication of domestic glassmaking in the United States. Their substantial size—particularly the pitcher’s nearly nine-inch height—suggests they were designed for practical use in the home, likely for washing or serving water. As part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Arts of the Americas collection, the set highlights how everyday objects became vehicles for refined craftsmanship. Glass offered both durability and a luminous quality that elevated utilitarian items, turning a simple washing set into something worthy of display. The clear, molded forms demonstrate the technical advances American glasshouses achieved in the 1830s, when factories began producing more affordable yet attractive household wares. Visitors can appreciate the balance of function and beauty in these pieces. Their survival as a matched pair offers a glimpse into 19th-century American life, where even routine tasks were approached with attention to material and form.