Metal Pitcher

Name: Metal Pitcher
 
Type: Pitcher
 
Year: Circa 1900–1910
 
Set: No
 
Mark: None - J.S. & S (James Sankey & Sons)
 
History: This striking conical-form brass pitcher was manufactured by J.S. & S, short for James Sankey & Sons, a well-established English metalware manufacturer active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The inscription “MADE IN ENGLAND / J.S. & S / SOLID BRASS” dates this piece firmly into the early 20th century, particularly around the peak of the Art Nouveau movement (c. 1890–1910).
 
 
The pitcher features archetypal Art Nouveau design: stylized floral and foliate motifs with flowing, sinuous lines in relief, alongside tulip-like buds and a central floral emblem. These motifs are harmoniously arranged in vertical symmetry, embodying the organic aesthetic ideals of the period. The handle’s riveted attachment and slight forge markings further support a hand-finished industrial process typical of brassware from this era.
 
 
Pitchers like this were often decorative rather than functional — either as part of a matching set for display, or as vases and ornamental jugs. Their tapered form and bold surface decoration made them popular mantle or sideboard pieces in Edwardian homes.
 
Flaws: None