Silver-plated double walled water pitcher by Graves and Kurtz.

This silver-plated water pitcher dates to the late 19th century, approximately 1880-1900, during America's Gilded Age when ornate Victorian silverware was highly fashionable. Manufactured by the Meriden Silver Plate Company, it features the quadruple plating process which applied four layers of silver over a base metal for durability and luxury appearance. Tilting water pitchers like this were prized functional serving pieces in upper-middle-class Victorian homes, used for formal dining and entertaining. The elaborate Rococo-style ornamentation with floral motifs and scrollwork exemplifies the Victorian taste for decorative household items. Today, these pieces are sought after by collectors of American Victorian silverware and antique tableware enthusiasts for their craftsmanship and historical significance.