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Pitcher

Description

Pair of silver Askoi or Claret Pitchers, wine ewers, 1871, owned by Caroline Leroy Appleton Edgar (Mrs. Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte II) (1841-1911), made by Baltimore's Samuel Kirk & Son. On October 4, 1871, Samuel Kirk's firm recorded in their ledger an order from "Mrs. Bonaparte of 2 claret pitchers with rounded lips, no goats, no angels and with matted handles. Bonaparte arms behind monogram in front." The pitchers are engraved "CLRB" for Caroline Leroy Appleton Edgar, the wife of Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte II, Elizabeth's grandson. The form is derived from Greek wine skins known as askos. Kirk made askoi with goats and angels for other customers, but the Bonapartes preferred simpler, French-inspired lines for their silver.

Date

1871

Materials

Silver

Dimensions

7.75 x 8 inches

Object ID

1987.133.158.1.1; 1987.133.158.1.2

Resource ID

8142

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. & Mrs. John J. Neubauer, Jr.

Digital Publisher

Digital resource provided by the Maryland Center for History and Culture

Rights

This digital image is made available here for private study, scholarship, and research. Commercial and other uses are prohibited without the permission of the Maryland Center for History and Culture. For more information, visit the MCHC’s Reproductions and Permissions web page.