Arthur Stone Arts & Crafts 'Arrowhead Leaf' Sterling Silver Water Pitcher, Gardner, MA, 1913

This remarkable water pitcher is of typical pear-shaped form with wonderful, large proportions to the handle. There is an applied band around the rim and an attached stepped, pedestal base.

Sixteen incised double-lines rise up from the base, are interrupted by a horizontal strap enveloping the midsection and continue up into the upper section.

Just above the strap, seven remarkably fine pairs of chased flowers in bloom exhibit wonderful skill. Rising further up the body are eight spires of the rare 'Arrowhead Leaf' design which are very beautiful.

Engraved on the front within the strap is a lovely 'E.S.' monogram and underneath it is dated '1913'.

Is it a coincidence that 8 years later the shop employees gave Arthur Stone and his wife Elizabeth Stone a vase with nearly identical design? (See Arthur Stone 1847-1938 by Chickering, cat. 135, p. 148.) Is it possible that the vase was made to match this pitcher?

Arthur J. Stone ran the preeminent arts & crafts silver shop in New England, possibly the country. Items were hand made using traditional silversmithing techniques. An innovator, Stone let the other masters who worked for him sign the items they made.

This pitcher was raised by Herbert Taylor, Stone's 'right hand man' and possibly the most accomplished silversmith who worked for Stone. Taylor was one of only eight silversmiths to win the award of 'Medalist', the highest honor for craft bestowed by the Society of Arts & Crafts, Boston. (Stone was the first silversmith to win the award.)

This rare pitcher measures 8.5 inches across the handle and spout by 9.25 inches high to the top of the handle and weighs 32.40 troy ounces. It is marked underneath with Stone's trademark, 'STERLING' and 'T' for craftsman Herbert Taylor. It is in very good/ excellent antique condition.