Five piece silver-plated water pitcher. Two thumb screws holding finial, spout cover and lid lip in place. Removable porcelain insert. Patented by Reed & Barton on August 4 1868 and on May 18 1878. Recently sold without porcelain insert for $275.

This silver-plated water pitcher was manufactured by Reed & Barton, a prominent American silversmith company founded in 1824 in Taunton, Massachusetts. Dating to the late 19th century Victorian era (circa 1880-1900), it features typical aesthetic movement design elements including embossed floral patterns and ornate detailing. Victorian silver-plated serving pieces like this were status symbols for the growing middle class who could not afford solid silver but desired elegant tableware for entertaining. Collectors of American Victorian silverplate particularly value Reed & Barton pieces for their craftsmanship and historical significance, with water pitchers being especially sought after for both decorative display and functional use in period dining settings.