Antique Art Nouveau Pitcher

We were instantly enchanted by this gorgeous Antique Art Nouveau Pitcher from the celebrated makers at Villeroy & Boch Mettlach. Crafted in stoneware, the pitcher features the firm's striking "Elderberry Tree" design, its stylized flowering trees incised and hand-painted in a dramatic palette of deep cobalt blue, warm golden yellow, and creamy white. Strong geometric lines at the base and the pitcher’s wonderfully exaggerated handle and spout give the piece an unmistakably Art Nouveau silhouette, creating a design that feels remarkably fresh more than a century after it was made.

Founded in 1748 when François Boch and his sons established a pottery in Lorraine, the firm that would become Villeroy & Boch grew considerably over the following decades. In 1836, Boch's descendants joined forces with rival ceramic manufacturer Nicolas Villeroy, creating Villeroy & Boch. The company's celebrated Mettlach factory became particularly renowned during the late 19th and early 20th centuries for its technically accomplished and highly decorative stonewares, produced in an extraordinary variety of historicist and contemporary styles.

This wonderful pitcher is a particularly exuberant example of Mettlach's Art Nouveau production. We love the combination of bold color, sinuous florals, and graphic architectural lines—and its sculptural form is every bit as appealing today as it was when it first left the factory. Fill it with fresh flowers, put it to work as a pitcher, or simply display it on its own for a fabulous splash of color.

One-of-a-kind and subject to prior sale. In very good antique condition. Measures 3 7/8"w X 4 3/4"L x 6 1/4"H.