Pitcher 1850 - 1853

This white pitcher was produced by the United States Pottery Company, which was founded in 1852. During the Victorian era, the rise of industrialization changed social structures and influenced the decorative arts. Here, the naturalistic design of blossoming vines makes reference to both the aesthetic interests of the period, but also the Victorian obsession with class and the home. In many ways, objects like these were central to the construction of feminine identity. Serving vessels such as these would have been used in the domestic sphere, often managed by women. While the United States Pottery Company sought to innovate through new technologies and cater to a wide consumer base, the aesthetic of the work, with its emphasis on floral motifs, maintained traditional ideals around femininity. The pitcher serves not only as a functional object but also as a mirror reflecting the complex social and gender dynamics of the time.