Gale Sterling Silver Claret Jug/ Pitcher in Neoclassical or Greek Revival Style

William Gale sterling silver carafe jug or pitcher with elongated and elegant proportions. This pitcher is in Neoclassical or Greek Revival style and displays motifs typical of these styles throughout the body and handle. It measures 14'' in height by 5'' from handle to spout by 5'' in diameter at the base, weighs 24.3 troy ounces, and bears hallmarks as shown. 

The founder of the firm was William Gale (1799-1867) who invented and patented in 1826 a process for making spoons with ornamental patterns by cutting the ornament on rollers, both the upper and the lower rollers being cut with the pattern. This made the production of pattern spoons much less expensive than the former method of hand hammering patterns by the use of dies.

William Gale was succeeded in the business by his son William Gale Jr. (1825-1885) who, after a few years, ceded the control of the firm to H.B. Dominick & Leroy B. Haff until 1928 when the business was purchased by Reed & Barton. Some of Gale’s works belong to museum collections, such as those of the Brooklyn Museum.