When I shared my Christmas dining room last week, I received so many comments and questions about the silver water pitcher on the table. It’s a sterling silver pitcher by Kirk Stieff in the Repoussé pattern that was first introduced in 1828. I’ve shared about this silver pattern before since it is my family’s silver and it makes a regular appearance here on the blog.
Four generations of my family have collected this pattern and a portion of the collection was passed down to me, including this stunning water pitcher. Some of the pieces I inherited date back to the mid-1800s. Since Marian is a family name, a couple even have my name on them.
My Oma collected things she loved, including this silver pattern that was passed down to her and added to over the years. I know this pitcher was hers because it wears her monogram. It may have been a splashy wedding gift or perhaps she snuck the purchase past my thrifty Opa. I’m not sure when or how she acquired it, but it’s one of my favorite pieces. (You can read a funny story about my Oma’s collecting HERE.)
I haven’t been able to find my exact pitcher online, but I have found similar silver pitchers online and they are crazy expensive. I don’t think anyone in my family would spend that much on a water pitcher now, so I’m thankful I have hers. It’s precious beyond its monetary value.
Since it is such a special and unique piece, I decided to photograph it for still life photos to add to Artist Reference Photos. I figured someone would enjoy the challenge, but I didn’t plan on painting it myself. I get overwhelmed by details and this pitcher is terrifyingly detailed!
Well, I was in a mood one day over Christmas break to take on a challenge and decided to paint the silver Repoussé pitcher. It was a great exercise that forced me to simply the shapes and really “squint down” to blur the intricate pattern. There were moments when I wondered what I got myself into, but I pressed on and, when I finished, I really loved the painting.
I was proud of myself for tackling a challenging subject and it felt good to spend time studying and admiring my Oma’s pitcher. This painting will be available in my next original art sale (coming soon) and I’m sure I’ll be painting this pitcher again.
I’ll take this moment to say… if you have inherited silver, crystal, linen, or china that you love, use it. Use it if it’s valuable and use it if it’s only valuable because you love it. Use it every day. As they say on Little House on the Prairie – Special things are for special people, not just special occasions.
You can read how I’m slowly adding to the family silver collection HERE.
12 Responses
We got a call a few years ago from our granddaughter who was away at college for her freshman year. She asked if we could add her to a certain cable account because she couldn’t get Little House on The Prairie on her college cable. We laughed at this grown girl who was still a little girl at heart, I was so glad to hear your quote from LHOTP and to see that you were also a fan. May we all stay little girls at heart!
I have a service of 12 of this pattern that I inherited from my Mother-in-law. We are the 3rd generation to own it. I LOVE it. I wish I had a water pitcher. It’s stunning! I hope I have an opportunity to buy one of your paintings. As I love the work you do. (My Mother-in law was a very well know artist in our area. She taught High School art as well as sold her art. We have 185 of her paintings hanging on our walls.)
Yes, I think that this is the most beautiful piece of silver I have ever seen. Just incredible craftsmanship and what a treasure to pass down!
Just beautiful! I do have a silver pitcher but it is packed away. I think I need to get it out. It is not as detailed as yours but beautiful as well. Thank you for sharing this and reminding us to use our “stuff”.
What a work of art…your pitcher and your picture!
Wohooooo, that is one expensive item -$6000,- comes first. I love it when you use it, it is meant to be used. It gives value to daily life, nothing should be hidden in closets. I come from a long line of porcelain lovers who married workers at the VOC company trading with the East. My late HB greatuncle was a captain and brought back famous porcelain. When I inherited it I gave it to our Groninger museum so it is there for all to see. The imperfect is still in my possession, and I still use it daily. My mother-in-law used to put holiday cards in the bowl of one of the Qing emperors and my kids played with the ancient Kris on her buffet. We are the weirdo’s knowing stuff about Rumi, Aknathon, etc. XD
Marian, what a precious treasure you have with your Oma’s sterling silver pitcher! It’s so beautiful — and so is your painting of it. How nice that you use it!
I totally agree with you about using these antique pieces every day. I love using mine too. There’s so many memories whenever you look at an item.
When we got married 56 years ago, my parents gave us a 12 piece place setting in sterling silver plus the extra serving pieces and it’s in a beautiful wooden chest lined in white satin and navy blue velvet. I think we are going to pass it down to a precious great niece as she has loved setting our table for us whenever she comes over.
We also received a lot of silver pieces too. Some I have handed down and others I still have and use. Just love all the old pieces.
I just sent this to my cousin in Ohio because when we cleaned out my Mom’s house she was an integral part of the whole process. I didn’t want to cart the silverware (like yours, Repoussé) back to Arizona, so she’s going to give it to the only granddaughter in the family! I’ve never seen the pitcher so it really tugged at my heart to see that pattern again.
That picture and your painting are exquisite. Please add that pitcher specifically to your home owner’s insurance (as you would expensive jewelry or musical instruments of high value.)
Magnificent!!!
Marian, you did your pitcher well and proud~ Your painting is just gorgeous.
I look forward to being amazed over and over in 2025 by your creative talents.
Best to you and yours!
Gorgeous pitcher! Living in CA with all the wildfires & other assorted natural disasters, I discovered that often times valuable collections like your sterling need to be documented and sometimes insured separately,depending upon your insurance company and their policies. It’s not a bad idea to video everything in your home on your phone- open every drawer,cupboard,etc and document all your belongings. It will be invaluable if ever,heaven forbid, that your home is burgled or destroyed by fire or flood, etc.