# Poet's Pitcher

- By: Karl L. H. Müller (Union Porcelain Works (American, 1863–c. 1922); Greenpoint, New York)
- Date: 1875–86
- Medium: Parian porcelain and glaze with gilding
- Classification: Ceramics
- Dimensions: H.: 218 cm (8 9/16 in.)
- Culture: Brooklyn
- Credit line: Purchased with funds provided by Antiquarian Society through Mary Oldberg
- Museum: [Art Institute of Chicago](https://www.artic.edu/artworks/144346)
- Rights: [Public domain (CC0)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- Picture: https://www.artic.edu/iiif/2/64363c1e-a6b8-4077-b398-8ab0f2ab41cc/full/!1749,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Teens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

Union Porcelain Works was known for making doorknobs and other utilitarian objects before expanding into fine tablewares that could compete with imported products. Karl L. H. Müller, a German-born sculptor, was hired to design inventive works that went into production around the time of the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. This pitcher, which depicts six poets in profile encircling the body of the vessel, received international acclaim, as did Müller’s other designs for Union Porcelain. One account of his works on display at the Philadelphia exhibition declared them exemplary of “what can be done in art pottery on this side of the water.”

Description © Art Institute of Chicago, CC BY 4.0