The Kalo Shop Hand Wrought Sterling Silver Arts & Crafts Pitcher with Original Tray, Chicago, Illinois - 1920

Aside from this water pitcher being rare, it is extremely rare with its original tray. The pitcher is a work of art in a very unique design. Of bulbous form, it is raised with various planes creating a stunning paneled effect. The artisan who created this piece must have been highly skilled to execute such a complex and challenging design. A bold handle is attached and has a flat, outer surface and a rounded interior for a comfortable grip. The spout, also made separately and attached, works beautifully with the design traveling halfway down the body. An applied wire both strengthens and decorates the rim and the base.

Both the tray and the pitcher have a beautifully engraved ''NSM' monogram.

They are also engraved and dated underneath 'Norma Harrison Stanley/ June 16, 1920'.(see below)

According to the familytreemaker.geneology website, Norma Harrison Stanley wed Harold Raymond Munz in Oak Park, Illinois on June 16, 1920. She obviously received a wonderful wedding gift!!

The shaped tray is fluted to define five areas around the raised, shaped side. Creating a flat surface is one of the most difficult tasks for a silversmith which is a reason not many trays were made. They were difficult to execute and thereby expensive.

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 SHOP/ 10429' and the tray is marked 'STERLING/ KALO/ H968. The pitcher measures 9 inches across the handle and spout by 7.5 inches high to the top of the spout. The tray measures 12 inches wide. The pitcher weighs 23.70 troy ounces and the tray weighs 19.6 troy ounces. They are in very good antique condition with some surface scratches on the tray.

Endnote:

1. Sharon S. Darling, Chicago Metalsmiths, (Chicago: Chicago Historical Society, 1977), p. 48.