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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
DIMENSIONS 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm)  (show scale)
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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