1850s Pitchers

Medallion wine ewer designed by William Gale & Son. Very rare and important piece of the American silversmith history. This fabulous wine ewer was made by the William Gale & Son Company, just five years before the American Civil War (1861-1865) in the 1856. The rich design and the delicate composition reflects the extreme opulence of the northern United States in these period and the degree of sophistication when serving a table. By other part, this wine ewer is full of symbolisms, where the degree of knowledge and understanding of the characters of Greek and Roman mythology is demonstrated. This one-of-a-kind piece was carefully crafted with impeccable details in solid .925/.999 sterling silver. It is fully decorated with ancient Etruscan and Greek revival patterns and architectural neo-classic elements, such the small two balusters and the rosettes located in the handle. The most significant are the two medallions depicting the classical figures of the helmeted & bearded portrait bust of Dionysus and the portrait bust of his daughter Methe, wearing a diadem made of vine leaves. This rare pitcher has a total weight of 750.43 grams and a measure of 12 by 7.5 inches (30.5 x 19 cm). The base has a diameter of 4.75 inches (12 cm). Fully stamped in the underneath, with the silver assay hallmarks, the maker's cartouche GS, the year of production 1856 and signed in full, "W. GALE & SON NEW YORK .925 STERLING GS 1856". Dionysus, (Bacchus for the Romans), was the god of the grape-harvest, winemaking and wine, of fertility, orchards and fruit, vegetation, insanity, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, festivity and theatre in the ancient Greek culture. The iconographic theme on this sheet refer to the legend of the triumph of Dionysus, or as the Romans called him, Bacchus the god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, the son of Zeus and Semele. The Bacchanalia was a religious festival in honor of the wine god, Dionysus. Methe, was the goddess-nymph of drunkenness in the ancient Greek mythology. She was the daughter and companion of the god Dionysus. She was also the wife of Staphylos (bunch of grapes) and mother of Botrys (grapes). History: The founder of the firm was William Gale (1799-1867) and the company was located in the number 447 at Broome street in New York. W. Gale invented and patented in 1826 a process for making spoons with ornamental patterns by cutting the ornament on rollers, both the upper and the lower rollers being cut with the pattern. this made the production of pattern spoons much less expensive than the former method of hand hammering patterns by the use of dies. William Gale was succeeded in the business by his son William Gale Jr. (1825-1885) who, after few years, ceased the control of the firm to H.B. Dominick & Leroy B. Haff until 1928 when the business was finally purchased by Reed & Barton. Note: The signature and hallmarks stamped at the bottom of this piece, correspond to the pieces produced before the US civil war...

This extraordinary antique french blue opaline glass pitcher and bowl wash set dates from the middle of the 19th century. The pure co...

Minton Majolica jug/pitcher which features corn forming the handle. The sides in the form of banana leaves. Colouration: green, yellow, are predominant. Marks include a factory speci...

Marked: London, 1859, Maker: John S. Hunt.

Hallmarked in London in 1853 by Robert Hennell III, this stunning, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Jug, is a very rare example modelled ...

This magnificent antique 19th century American silver claret jug has baluster form onto a plain circular spreading foot. The body of this antique jug is ...

This is a Victorian liquid bellied lidless, Gill measurer with a brass rim and inscription of the owner. A capacity mark such as ‘pint’ or ‘quart’ is sel...

Minton Majolica ewer with a mythological theme which features putti, birds and vine fruits. The ewer has a tapered neck, with mask head and Sphinx handle. Sits on circular fluted foo...

This unique porcelain pitcher in rich yellow is beautifully accented with purple grapes and green leaves along the foot and rim, complemented by delicate gold gilt trim. A truly rema...

A fine English Staffordshire treacle glazed pottery jug commemorating the death of Wellington on September 14, 1852. The jug is modelled as a bust of We...

Minton Majolica jug/pitcher which features a blackberry bush bearing fruit. Barrel effect ground. Brown ground version. Colouration: brown, green, blue, are predominant. Marks includ...

19th century Italian faience pitcher decorated with bird on a fence and a tree on the other side.

19th pastel blue Majolica banana leaf pitcher signed Minton dated October 1859.

Coin silver hand hammered water pitcher circa 1850 by Philadelphia makers Bennett and Caldwell. Leaf motif along handle, leaf and floral design around body and base, intricate leaf a...

Minton Majolica ewer and stand which features putti supporting the stem of the ewer, a cherub riding a dolphin below the spout. A merboy with entwined se...

A fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver wine or water jug, an addition to our antique silverware collection. This impressive Victorian sterling silver hot water...

A richly step and hobnail cut Victorian water jug. England, circa 1850 Height: 19.5 cm (7 3/4"). Width: 14 cm (5 1/2"). Depth: 12 cm (4 3/4").

Nice example of an ironstone pitcher, hand painted from copper plate transfers in the Chinese Manduran pattern depicting peacocks and abundant floral decoration in a Famille Rose sty...

Hallmarked in London in 1851 by Joseph Angell, this stylish, Victorian, Antique Sterling Silver Wine Ewer, features shaped sides with engraved detailing, a scroll handle, and a gilt ...

Depicting a walking turkey on one side and a coat of arms on the other.

French 19th century early faience pitcher beautifully decorated.