Pitcher 1806 - 1820

This silver pitcher, crafted by Ebenezer Moulton, compels us to examine its elegant form and refined materiality. Notice how the smooth, reflective surface of the silver interacts with light, creating a dynamic interplay of highlights and shadows. The pitcher’s structure is articulated through a series of horizontal bands that divide the surface into distinct zones. These lines not only emphasize the curvature of the vessel but also serve as a visual rhythm, guiding the eye around the object. The handle, with its angular design, offers a stark contrast to the rounded body, introducing an element of geometric abstraction. This tension between the curved and the straight, the polished and the plain, invites us to consider how such formal contrasts can destabilize conventional notions of utility and aesthetics, elevating the pitcher from a mere functional object to a study in form and design. The pitcher offers a lens through which we may explore the broader cultural values attached to craftsmanship and material refinement.