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Accession #	84.127
Maker	William Boch & Bros.
Decorator	F. K. M. Kropp
Title	Pitcher
Date	1850-1861
Medium	Porcelain
Dimensions	10 1/4 x 9 1/2 x 6 1/4 in. (26 x 24.1 x 15.9 cm)
Marks	no marks
Inscriptions	no inscriptions
Signed	no signature
Credit Line	H. Randolph Lever Fund
Location	Visible Storage: Case 36, Shelf H (Ceramics)
Description	Ceramic pitcher. Flaring foot rises to swelling, molded body; irregular rim curves upward at spout and at bifurcated twig-shaped handle. Body of pitcher is molded with stalks and ears of corn. Blue band painted at base rim, upper rim and highlights of twig handle. Molded corn highlighted with gilding. Upper spout is elaborate rococo cartouche in gilt; at top of cartouche is Masonic emblem. In cartouche: "F.K.M. Kropp" in Gothic letters in gilt. CONDITION: Glaze crazed throughout. Crazing discolored interior, bottom. Gilding shows normal wear in spots. Blue band at rim missing color below handle, also small spot to right of this and small spot right of cartouche.

Curatorial Remarks: The Boch brothers, William, Anthony, and Francis Victor, established William Boch & Brothers to compete with the slightly older pottery owned by Charles Cartlidge. Boch produced a great many of these Rococo-style pitchers as well as household ceramics such as carpet rods and door pulls and made-to-order ornamental cemetery figures.