Crown Milano Covered Ewer

The second half of the nineteenth century witnessed a proliferation of highly ornamental decorative arts in nearly every medium. Glassmakers during this period were experimenting with new techniques, introducing bold color effects, and embracing exotic influences. Many new lines of art glass imitated other materials. The Mount Washington Glass Company was one of the leading producers of art glass, with such exotic lines as "Rose Amber," "Burmese," and "Peach Blow." They developed their Crown Milano line in the early 1890s, a line largely inspired by Persian or Moorish design, a manifestation of the Aesthetic Movement in the United States. This ewer is one of the most elaborate and largest examples of the firm’s Crown Milano line. It features that embracing of a multiplicity of styles--Asian (in the roundels and meandering stylized chrysanthemum flowers and stems), Islamic (in the shape of the ewer, cover, and handle), and Renaissance (in the painted putti and scroll decoration). In addition to its aesthetic attributes, the ewer has significant historical importance. This object was exhibited at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, one of this country's most important fairs, and was published in the period.