Water Pitcher 1798 - 1818

"Water Pitcher" is a silver pitcher created by Joel Sayre between 1798 and 1818. The piece is now in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The pitcher, crafted in the Federal style, showcases an elegant design with a rounded body, a square base with ball feet, and a gracefully curved spout. The handle is a simple, rectangular shape. The piece is decorated with a narrow band of engraved floral motifs around the top. This pitcher exemplifies the craftsmanship and style of American silversmithing in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, reflecting the transition from colonial styles to a more refined and classical aesthetic.