Pitcher
MakerMade by
Sidney Risley
American, died 1875
Dateabout 1840-1850
MediumMold-formed stoneware pitcher with a brown slip glaze
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 8 7/8 x 9 1/2 x 7in. (22.5 x 24.1 x 17.8cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineMuseum purchase
DescriptionLarge, octagonal, buff-colored stoneware pitcher with an opaque red-brown slip glaze, or Albany-type glaze. The pitcher has an octagonal foot and sides that maintain the octagonal shape while swelling, then narrowing at the shoulder and neck to form a plain rim. At one side of the rim, a spout curves up and out. Opposite the spout, a molded and applied handle connects the rim and the widest point of the body of the pitcher. The primary decoration on the pitcher consists of raised motifs. A group of raised berries and leaves, perhaps a bunch of grapes, decorates each panel of the octagonal pitcher. They are located along the shoulder and widest point of the pitcher. Above this, raised shells decorate six of the eight panels, between the rim and the raised berries and leaves. A smaller cluster of grapes decorates the panel on either side of the spout. There is raised decoration on the spout as well, consisting of a scroll and abstract shell.
There are many imperfections in the surface of the pitcher, caused by an irregular stoneware surface. A small chip of glaze is missing from the lower protruding portion of the pitcher. There is a cream-colored, rectangular, paper label adhered to the pitcher to the lower right of the handle. Inside a scrolled border, the label reads, "George S. McKearin/ Collection/ of/ American Pottery/ No. 679". All the words are printed and the number is written in black ink.
There are many imperfections in the surface of the pitcher, caused by an irregular stoneware surface. A small chip of glaze is missing from the lower protruding portion of the pitcher. There is a cream-colored, rectangular, paper label adhered to the pitcher to the lower right of the handle. Inside a scrolled border, the label reads, "George S. McKearin/ Collection/ of/ American Pottery/ No. 679". All the words are printed and the number is written in black ink.
Object number1957.28.7
MarkingsThere is one impressed mark on the bottom of the pitcher, "S RISLEY/ NORWICH". There is a cream-colored, rectangular, paper label adhered to the pitcher to the lower right of the handle. Inside a scrolled border, the label reads, "George S. McKearin/ Collection/ of/ American Pottery/ No. 679". All the words are printed, and the number is written in black ink.Subject Terms
On View
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