Ornamental pitchers?

[AlKimberley]

I have no idea what these items are and need help in identifying them. My 81 year-old mother gave them to me and told me that they belonged to her grandmother. The grandmother lived in Philadelphia, PA from about 1870 to 1930.
The items have no markings and although they appear to be pitchers but there is a metal plate at the opening on the top of the pitcher body that seals the top. I’m guessing that they are just ornamental. They appear to be some type of metal cast on the base and sides with bronze or brass gilding on the front and back and the handles. They are quite heavy and weigh approximately 8 to 10 lbs. each.

 

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[timekiller]

They look like some kind of art nouveau/neoclassical ewer mantel pitchers.Sorta like this.................
Antique Victorian Gothic Griffin Dragon Lion Mantle Ewer from coyotemoonantiques on Ruby Lane

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitcher_(container)
Take Care,
Pete,

Not sure why the wiki link above won't do right........... but this is what it should say............



[h=1]Pitcher (container)[/h]From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Minoan terracotta ewers, about 2200 BC


A pitcher is a container with a spout used for storing and pouring contents which are liquid in form. Generally a pitcher also has a handle, which makes pouring easier.
A ewer is a vase-shaped pitcher, often decorated, with a base and a flaring spout.[SUP][1][/SUP] An example of a ewer would be the America's Cup given to the winner of the America's Cup sailing regatta match.[SUP][2][/SUP]

Look up pitcher in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

[h=2]Contents[/h] [hide] 1 Etymology 2 Early recording 3 Idiomatic usage 4 See also 5 References

[h=2][edit] Etymology[/h]The word "pitcher" comes from the 13th century Middle English word picher, which means earthen jug.[SUP][3][/SUP][SUP][4][/SUP] The word picher is linked to the old French word pichier which is the altered version of the word bichier, meaning drinking cup.[SUP][5][/SUP] The pitcher’s origin goes as far back to the Medieval Latin word bicarium from the Greek word bikos, which meant earthen vessel. Compare with Dutch beker, German Becher and English beaker.
[h=2][edit] Early recording[/h]
Ewer found in 1790 in Lindston Loch, South Ayrshire.


An early depiction of a usage of a pitcher was when the Bible mentions of Rebekah coming to Abraham bearing a vessel with water.[SUP][6][/SUP] In the gospel of Mark in the bible, a pitcher which bears water is also mentioned when Jesus asks two of his disciples to come into the city of Jerusalem where they would meet a man who carries this water vessel; they were then instructed to follow this man.[SUP][7][/SUP] Another excerpt from the bible mentions empty pitchers with lamps given to three hundred men divided into three companies, in the Book of Judges.[SUP][8][/SUP] Other religions have been known to use such water vessels, one of which is the notable Pitcher of Marawan Ibn Mohammad which predates 8th century AD. The artifact was acquired and unearthed by archeologists on May 15, 1930, currently it is on display at the Museum of Islamic Art in Egypt.[SUP][9][/SUP][SUP][10][/SUP]
Ewers were also popular works of art during the Tang Dynasty in China. Commonly associated with forms of glazed earthenware, these ewers depicted illustrations inspired by trading along the Silk Road of Persian textiles and metal work as well as increased cultural diversity in populated Chinese cities, such as Chang'an. These items once coveted by the upper classes of China became commonplace artifacts regardless of socioeconomic status.[SUP][11][/SUP]
[h=2][edit] Idiomatic usage[/h]"Little pitchers have big ears" is a proverb.[SUP][12][/SUP] The phrase depicts a child as the pitcher with ears hearing what people around them say or do, which is stored inside. The adults are also cautioned that the children might not be as naïve as they perceive them to be.[SUP][13][/SUP]

Pitcher and mug on the background of a carpet


[h=2][edit] See also[/h]