About this artwork
Union Porcelain Works was known for making doorknobs and other utilitarian objects before expanding into fine tablewares that could compete with imported products. Karl L. H. Müller, a German-born sculptor, was hired to design inventive works that went into production around the time of the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. This pitcher, which depicts six poets in profile encircling the body of the vessel, received international acclaim, as did Müller’s other designs for Union Porcelain. One account of his works on display at the Philadelphia exhibition declared them exemplary of “what can be done in art pottery on this side of the water.”
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Arts of the Americas
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Artist
- Union Porcelain Works (Manufacturer)
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Title
- Poet's Pitcher
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Place
- Greenpoint (Object made in)
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Date
- c. 1875–1886
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Medium
- Parian porcelain
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Inscriptions
- Marked on underside of base with an eagle's head and the letter "S" with "Union Porcelain Works, Greenpoint, N.Y." above 1 86 in a yellow circular decorator's mark.
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Dimensions
- H.: 218 cm (8 9/16 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of the Antiquarian Society through Mrs. Eric. Oldberg
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Reference Number
- 1996.14
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IIIF Manifest
- https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/144346/manifest.json