Artwork Page for Covered Jug

Details / Information for Covered Jug

Covered Jug

c. 1845
execution supervised by

Jean-Valentin Morel

(French, 1794–1860)
possibly designed by

Jules Dieterle

(French, 1811–1889)
sculpture possibly by

Jules Klagmann

(French, 1810–1867)
Culture
France, 19th century
Medium
gilded silver
Measurements
Overall: 21.4 x 15 x 12.8 cm (8 7/16 x 5 7/8 x 5 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Bequest of John L. Severance (by exchange) 2000.138
Public Domain
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Location
221 19th Century Decorative Arts
Print

Description

The elegance and richness of this ewer demonstrate the high level of technical mastery achieved by its maker. Morel studied under his father, a Parisian lapidary (someone who cuts, polishes, and engraves hard stones), and with Adrien Vachette, a maker of gold boxes. In 1842 he went into partnership with Charles-Edmond Duponchel, which lasted until the late 1840s, at which time he established himself in London, remaining there until 1852, when he returned to Paris. Morel frequentlyfollowed the designs of others, and it has been suggested that in the case of this pitcher his well-known contemporary, Jules Dieterle (1811-1889), may have conceived the overall form. The female figure seems to have been based on a design by the sculptor Jules Klagmann (1810-1867).
A rounded gilded silver vessel with a narrow neck topped with a lid connects to a leafy, curved handle on our left as a flared spout juts from our right. It depicts a winged child on the handle, another reclining on the lid, and a third clinging beneath the spout. Sculpted garlands of fruit and flowers encircle the middle. The polished gold surface rests on a wide, circular base.

Covered Jug

c. 1845

Jean-Valentin Morel, Jules Dieterle, Jules Klagmann

(French, 1794–1860), (French, 1811–1889), (French, 1810–1867)
France, 19th century

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