Large American silver overlay water pitcher

Large American silver overlay water pitcher

£1,750
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Antique water or wine jug with an elegantly shaped glass body overlaid with silver in an openwork design featuring grapes, vine leaves and scrolling vines, all hand engraved. There is a crisp starburst pattern cut into the glass base and the jug has a capacity of 800 ml.

In 1889, the decorative technique of applying sterling silver designs to glass was patented by Oscar Pierre Erand and John Benjamin Round for Stevens & Williams Ltd in Birmingham and silver overlay found its first wave of popularity in the early 1900s.

Sterling silver was applied to glass by a chemical method so that a cut-out design of silver metal appears against a clear or coloured glass background. Where the silver was thick enough a silversmith might further embellish the piece with hand engraving.

From 1895 to the early 1920s the art of silver overlay had a fervent following and became a decorative rage. It was particularly popular in America. The silver designers would choose patterns that complemented the piece, for instance this perfume flask is decorated with swirling flowers, where a waterscape of bulrushes might decorate a water jug, or a wine jug could feature intertwining grapevines.

Dimensions:

Height 225 mm / 9 "
Diameter 130 mm / 5 "
Year

c1895

Place

USA

Condition

Excellent

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