Pitcher

1878

An asymmetrical water scene wraps around the body of this pitcher. The vignette was almost certainly inspired by the work of Katsushika Hokusai, a Japanese artist known for his dynamic woodblock prints of the natural world. Tiffany and Company’s design library included three volumes of Hokusai’s work, many featuring the same graceful irises, enlivened dragonflies, and splashing carp visible on this pitcher.

Public domain · CC0
Free to download and reuse. Image courtesy of Art Institute of Chicago.

Artist

Design attributed to Edward C. Moore (American, 1827–1891) Tiffany and Company (American, founded 1837) New York

Date

1878

Medium

Silver, gold, and copper

Dimensions

20.3 × 12.7 × 15.2 cm (8 7/8 × 5 1/4 × 6 7/8 in.)

Origin

New York City

Collection

Art Institute of Chicago

Credit

Purchased with funds provided by Mrs. Frank L. Sulzberger