Description:  There are two different styles of these very large water pitchers: upward lips and downward lip ones. This page is devoted to the upward pouring lip water pitchers. Although they look very much alike here are four differences: upward pouring lips not downward, separated leaves and no flower on handles not a flower and continuous leaves (see picture of handles), 7 raised ribs on the handles not smooth handles, narrower top openings not wider top openings (see picture of top openings). Both styles have large cane like handles, one continuous Canton scene, glazed bottoms and the rain cloud borders are around the top rims. The examples shown here, left to right, hold approximately: 1 1/2 gallons, 4 1/2 quarts and 3 1/2 quarts.

They were usually paired with wash basins (see picture) in the bedroom. Often the basins fitted into wash stands that had round holes in their tops and the wide lips of the basins held them in place. The wash stands sometimes had railings on the sides that held wash cloths and small towels. These large pitchers or the water bottles with tops would be filled with water and placed in the basin until used.

In Herbert Schiffer’s 1975 book on page 68 a Rose Medallion pitcher with upward spout is pictured and also a downward spout Canton water pitcher. An upward spout Canton one is on page 26 of Jane Wilson’s 1977 booklet

These are magnificient and rare pitchers and when accompanied by wash basins they become very rare and expensive sets.