Kalo Shops Hand Wrought Sterling Silver Arts & Crafts Pitcher, Chicago, Illinois - 1916

This unusual pitcher is a lovely example of Chicago arts & crafts silver. Creating a flat surface is one of the most difficult tasks for a silversmith and this paneled pitcher would have required a highly skilled metalsmith to execute. The body is designed with eight flat, tapering panels with a curved pouring spout and a curved bottom curving into to a flat base. One of the panels is engraved 'KWR' and the underside is engraved with the date 'Apr. 15, 1916'. The bold handle exhibits the same features with flat sides and curved edges. The top rim is strengthened and decorated by a band of silver wire.

The Kalo Shop is known for its hammered surfaces and creative, forward looking arts & crafts designs. It was started by Clara Barck Welles who was 'known for her fair employment practices and for giving opportunities to women to become metalsmiths'.1

This lovely pitcher is marked 'STERLING/ HAND WROUGHT/ AT/ THE KALO SHOPS/ CHICAGO/ AND/ NEW YORK/ 18'. It measures 7 inches high to the top of the spout by 6.25 inches wide, weighs 20.45 troy ounces and is in very good antique condition with light surface scratches.