Union Porcelain Works (1863–ca. 1922). Water Filter, Patented November 28, 1882. Porcelain, Overall: 20 x 12 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. (50.8 x 31.8 x 29.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Marie Bernice Bitzer, by exchange, 1995.143.1a-c. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1995.143.1a-c_overall_PS22.jpg)
Union Porcelain Works (1863–ca. 1922). Water Filter, Patented November 28, 1882. Porcelain, Overall: 20 x 12 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. (50.8 x 31.8 x 29.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Marie Bernice Bitzer, by exchange, 1995.143.1a-c. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1995.143.1a-c_detail01_PS22.jpg)
Union Porcelain Works (1863–ca. 1922). Water Filter, Patented November 28, 1882. Porcelain, Overall: 20 x 12 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. (50.8 x 31.8 x 29.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Marie Bernice Bitzer, by exchange, 1995.143.1a-c. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1995.143.1a-c_detail02_PS22.jpg)
Water Filter
Decorative Arts and Design
On View: American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, Trouble the Water
This highly decorated water filter is an example of the entrepreneurial creativity of Thomas Smith, the owner of UPW. The filter was produced in conjunction with the Gates City Stone Filter Company, with whom Smith formed a partnership, on the Greenpoint premises of the pottery.
MANUFACTURER
Union Porcelain Works, 1863–ca. 1922
MEDIUM
Porcelain
DATES
Patented November 28, 1882
DIMENSIONS
Overall: 20 x 12 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. (50.8 x 31.8 x 29.2 cm)
(a) Height of Base: 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm)
(b) Height of Filter Section: 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm) (show scale)
MARKINGS
Printed on underside of base (a): in red "UNION / PORCELAIN / WORKS / GREENPOINT / N.Y." within urn, "9 88" below urn; and in green, "U.P.W." above head of an eagle
Painted in black on underside of middle (b) near edge: "16"
COLLECTIONS
Decorative Arts and Design
ACCESSION NUMBER
1995.143.1a-c
CREDIT LINE
Bequest of Marie Bernice Bitzer, by exchange
PROVENANCE
Prior to 1995, provenance not yet documented; by 1995, acquired by Florence I. Balasny-Barnes of New York, NY; December 14, 1995, purchased from Florence I. Balasny-Barnes by the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
White porcelain water filter with vitreous glaze and polychrome and gilded decorations, consisting of (a) base, (b) filter section, and (c) lid. The three parts stack to form a cylindrical vessel. (a) Base: cylindrical form that rounded at bottom where it tapers to meet foot band; hole for spigot within lozenge in center near bottom; molded garland register around top that is accented with gold and pink, green, and blue painted ribbons; main register decorated with rust-colored ground filled with orientalizing motifs of stylized floral and foliate forms in green, white, pink, maroon, yellow and black; lower register molded into vertical sections accented with gilding. (b) Filter section: cylindrical form with porous limestone bottom for filtering water; wide neck is stepped back from body; two applied handles at neck, each formed by a dragon curled into a ring, accented with red and gold; neck decorated with beaded and gilded band and rust-colored band with tripartite blue flowers; collar has molded foliate forms with gilded accents; main register has rust-colored ground filled with orientalizing motifs of stylized floral and foliate forms in green, white, pink, maroon, yellow, blue, and black. (c) Conforming lid: shallow stepped dome with flat knob finial with molded flower on top. Decorated with rust-colored bands and black and gilded accents.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, Trouble the Water
CAPTION
Union Porcelain Works (1863–ca. 1922). Water Filter, Patented November 28, 1882. Porcelain, Overall: 20 x 12 1/2 x 11 1/2 in. (50.8 x 31.8 x 29.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Marie Bernice Bitzer, by exchange, 1995.143.1a-c. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1995.143.1a-c_overall_PS22.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 1995.143.1a-c_overall_PS22.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2024
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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