Pitcher (Primary Title)
Attributed to, William Brownfield & Sons, English, 1871 - 1891 (Manufacturer)
One of the most important commercial designers of the 19th century, Christopher Dresser influenced the production and consumption of decorative arts throughout Britain and the United States, working for as many as fifty “art manufacturers” at onetime. The objects displayed here, produced for Brownfield and Sons, are indicative of Dresser’s most familiar compositions, which incorporated Asian-inspired forms, glazes, spatial arrangements, and decorations—the crane was one of his signaturemotifs. Together they inspired the Japanesque style of “Aesthetic” ceramics; in 1879, the Pottery Gazette labeled Brownfield and Sons a “trend setter.”
Gilded Age; Aesthetic Movement
Gift of the Brownell Family in celebration of VMFA's 75th Anniversary
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.