Ice Pitcher
Decorative Arts and Design
One side of this pitcher depicts King Gambrinus, the Teutonic inventor of beer, offering Uncle Sam his first glass of the foaming brew. The other sIde shows a scene from Bret Harte's popular 1870 poem known as "The Heathen Chinee." Despite its title, Harte's poem paints a sympathetic picture of these new Asian immigrants and was a plea for fairness.
MEDIUM
Porcelain
DATES
ca. 1876
MARKINGS
On barrel is stamp of "U.P.W.".
Base marked in rust "Union / Porcelain Works / Greenpoint / N.Y." and eagle head in black with "U.P.W."
SIGNATURE
no signature
INSCRIPTIONS
no inscriptions
ACCESSION NUMBER
68.87.51
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Franklin Chace
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Ice pitcher, porcelain, with patented spout for ice, yellow ground with relief decoration of cowboy and Chinese immigrant concealing a poker hand, opposite side King Gambrinus presenting a barrel of beer to Brother Jonathan. Bear handle, spout in the shape of a sea lion.
Condition: Good
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Karl L. H. Müller (American, born Germany, 1820–1887). Ice Pitcher, ca. 1876. Porcelain, 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Franklin Chace, 68.87.51. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 68.87.51_right_PS9.jpg)
IMAGE
right, 68.87.51_right_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2014
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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