Glass Pitchers & Jugs

Capturing both the functional and the fun, glass pitchers and jugs enjoy a long history of design innovation. From the dusty glass amphorae of the ancient world to the elegant cut crystal ewer of the present, glass pitchers and jugs tantalize collectors for variety, versatility, and value.

Since the earliest days of human culture, there has been a desire to store and transport liquids. It was not until the cultures of ancient Egypt and Rome, however, that the glass vessel evolved for such purposes. Refinements in glassmaking during these periods allowed for more elegant and elaborate forms, such as the pitcher, and thereby ushered in the popularity of the form.

Glass pitchers, particularly the delicate form known as the ewer, became increasingly popular by the days of the Renaissance, with Venetian glassblowers creating increasingly elongated and exquisite examples that were often further accentuated with painted or gilt accents. This tradition of gorgeous glass pitchers only expanded further with the introduction of crystal and cut glass, which showcased both the brilliant clarity and cutting-edge craftsmanship of glassmakers. Resulting from this dynamic history is a field of antique glass pitchers and jugs that have stood the test of time and still remain in good taste.

Quick Facts

• The name pitcher can be traced in origin to the Medieval Latin word "bicarium," a term used describe a earthenware jug or vessel
• Surviving examples of the ancient Roman glass amphora, a variation on the jug, date to the 1st century A.D.
• An 18th-century Imperial Chinese ruby glass ewer broke records at a Christie's Hong Kong auction in 2010: featuring elaborate dragon motifs and an gilt-metal handle, the vessel sold for $2,402,400