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Actions Displays	Hot water jug Remove from selection Add to selection Reproduction Download mediaDownload as zip file Object number21754.1170 TitleHot water jug Creator Archibald Knox DescriptionThis exquisite Art Nouveau hot water jug was made in around 1903-10 by Liberty of London. Originally part of a complete tea service, it is a fine example of the style of pewter ware that was so popular at the time. While Liberty had a policy of keeping their designers anonymous, it is widely thought that their pewter ranges were mostly created by Archibald Knox. A native of the Isle of Man, Knox worked for Liberty as principal metalwork designer from 1901-04, producing hundreds of designs. He taught art, design & craft in both London and on the Isle of Man; one of his main beliefs was that “Art is in everything if we choose to put it there”. The smooth, cylindrical body of the jug is enhanced by a simple spout and handle. The latter is covered in cane to stop it from becoming too hot to hold when pouring. But what really catches the eye is the symmetrical, curving decoration on either side of the handle – the flowing stems and stylised honesty flowers are typical of the Art Nouveau period. Using the natural forms and sinuous, interlacing lines so popular in Art Nouveau and Celtic art, Knox’s designs covered everything from tableware to inkwells, from jewellery to gravestones. In his work we can see the influence of William Morris and the Arts & Crafts movement from the 19th century, with the emphasis on handcrafted techniques and organic forms. But we can also see inspiration for the geometric shapes of the Art Deco movement, still to come in the 20th century. Production placeEngland Production date 1903 - 1910 Production periodArt Nouveau Object nameJug MaterialPewter, Cane Dimensions Height: 231 mm

Reproduction

Download mediaDownload as zip file

Object number21754.1170

TitleHot water jug

DescriptionThis exquisite Art Nouveau hot water jug was made in around 1903-10 by Liberty of London. Originally part of a complete tea service, it is a fine example of the style of pewter ware that was so popular at the time. While Liberty had a policy of keeping their designers anonymous, it is widely thought that their pewter ranges were mostly created by Archibald Knox. A native of the Isle of Man, Knox worked for Liberty as principal metalwork designer from 1901-04, producing hundreds of designs. He taught art, design & craft in both London and on the Isle of Man; one of his main beliefs was that “Art is in everything if we choose to put it there”. The smooth, cylindrical body of the jug is enhanced by a simple spout and handle. The latter is covered in cane to stop it from becoming too hot to hold when pouring. But what really catches the eye is the symmetrical, curving decoration on either side of the handle – the flowing stems and stylised honesty flowers are typical of the Art Nouveau period. Using the natural forms and sinuous, interlacing lines so popular in Art Nouveau and Celtic art, Knox’s designs covered everything from tableware to inkwells, from jewellery to gravestones. In his work we can see the influence of William Morris and the Arts & Crafts movement from the 19th century, with the emphasis on handcrafted techniques and organic forms. But we can also see inspiration for the geometric shapes of the Art Deco movement, still to come in the 20th century.

Production placeEngland

Production date 1903 - 1910

Production periodArt Nouveau

Object nameJug

MaterialPewter, Cane

Dimensions

Height: 231 mm