Collection
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Decorative Arts and Design

Water Filter

Union Porcelain Works

1 of 3

Object Label

This highly decorated water filter is an example of the entrepreneurial creativity of Thomas Smith, the owner of UPW. The filter was produced in conjunction with the Gates City Stone Filter Company, with whom Smith formed a partnership, on the Greenpoint premises of the pottery.

Caption

Union Porcelain Works (1863–ca. 1922). Water Filter, Patented November 28, 1882. Porcelain, Overall: 20 x 12 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. (50.8 x 31.8 x 29.2 cm) (a) Height of Base: 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm) (b) Height of Filter Section: 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Marie Bernice Bitzer, by exchange, 1995.143.1a-c. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Gallery

Not on view

Title

Water Filter

Date

Patented November 28, 1882

Medium

Porcelain

Classification

Vessel

Dimensions

Overall: 20 x 12 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. (50.8 x 31.8 x 29.2 cm) (a) Height of Base: 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm) (b) Height of Filter Section: 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm)

Markings

Printed on underside of base (a): in red "UNION / PORCELAIN / WORKS / GREENPOINT / N.Y." within urn, "9 88" below urn; and in green, "U.P.W." above head of an eagle Painted in black on underside of middle (b) near edge: "16"

Credit Line

Bequest of Marie Bernice Bitzer, by exchange

Accession Number

1995.143.1a-c

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Artists and makers

Union Porcelain Works

94 works in the collection