Melkkan van aardewerk, E.J. Birch Black Basalt. Met deksel. c. 1790 - 1810

This black basalt pitcher with a lid, created by Edmund John Birch between 1790 and 1810, is a fine example of Neoclassical design. The pitcher, featuring vertical fluting and a relief scene of classical figures, embodies the artistic ideals of the period, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman art. The use of black basalt, a dark stoneware, further emphasizes the Neoclassical aesthetic, which sought to emulate the simplicity and elegance of ancient artifacts. Black basalt was a popular material for ceramic production in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, often used for decorative pieces like this pitcher.