Cow Pitcher with Lid c. 1855

The United States Pottery Company made this Cow Pitcher with Lid of glazed earthenware, but the date is unknown. A molded ceramic form has been deftly transformed into a delightful bovine, complete with a curled tail handle and a practical lid on its back. The glossy glaze, pooling to create rich brown rivulets, gives the pitcher a playful yet refined air. It is an object intended for everyday use, elevated through careful design and skilled execution. This pitcher likely emerged from a factory setting, where skilled laborers mass-produced ceramics for a growing consumer market. The design cleverly disguises the processes of industrial production beneath a veneer of bucolic charm. So, when considering this piece, think about the hands that shaped the mold, the kilns that fired the clay, and the social context that made such an object desirable. It’s a reminder that even the most whimsical creations are rooted in the realities of labor, production, and consumption.