Pitcher

Ball, Black & Co.

ca. 1872 · Silver · The American Wing

American silver holloware in the Egyptian Revival style is extremely rare. This stately pitcher incorporates Egyptian motifs into a classic form. The dynamic composition achieves a sophisticated expression of the prevailing taste for Egyptian-inspired designs. At the time this pitcher was created, the German-trained silversmith John Rudolph Wendt was Ball, Black & Co.’s primary designer and supplier, and the pitcher exemplifies the outstanding quality for which he is known. Located in a grand marble building boasting large display windows facing Broadway, Ball, Black & Co. was a leading silver retailer and a popular destination for shoppers and window shoppers alike.

Artist

Ball, Black & Co.

Date

ca. 1872

Medium

Silver

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Purchase, William Cullen Bryant Fellows Gifts, 2005