Jug with cover 1730

This 1730 silver jug with a cover was crafted by French silversmith Pezé Pilleau (1709-1755). The elegant, bulbous body of the jug features a fluted design with a finely-detailed coat of arms at its center. The lid boasts a simple, rounded knob and the handle is crafted from a contrasting dark material, possibly wood or horn. The jug is currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This piece showcases the Rococo style, with its emphasis on delicate ornamentation and organic forms. It embodies the refined tastes of the French aristocracy during the 18th century.