Antique Italian Brass Pitcher

Whether burnished or lacquered, antique, new and vintage brass furniture can elevate a room.

From traditional spaces that use brass as an accent — by way of brass dining chairs or brass pendant lights — to contemporary rooms that embrace bold brass decor, there are many ways to incorporate the golden-hued metal.

“I find mixed metals to be a very updated approach, as opposed to the old days, when it was all shiny brass of dulled-out silver tones,” says interior designer Drew McGukin. “I especially love working with brass and blackened steel for added warmth and tonality. To me, aged brass is complementary across many design styles and can trend contemporary or traditional when pushed either way.”

He proves his point in a San Francisco entryway, where a Lindsey Adelman light fixture hangs above a limited-edition table and stools by Kelly Wearstler — also an enthusiast of juxtapositions — all providing bronze accents. The walls were hand-painted by artist Caroline Lizarraga and the ombré stair runner is by DMc.

West Coast designer Catherine Kwong chose a sleek brass and lacquered-parchment credenza by Scala Luxury to fit this San Francisco apartment. “The design of this sideboard is reminiscent of work by French modernist Jean Prouvé. The brass font imbues the space with warmth and the round ‘portholes’ provide an arresting geometric element.”

Find antique, new and vintage brass tables, case pieces and other furnishings now on 1stDibs.

Perfect for entertaining, a dinner party or a small luncheon, vintage, new and antique pitchers are versatile pieces to keep in any collection.

Whether you’re dining in the great outdoors, freshening up drinks in the living room or making a batch of fresh-squeezed juice for breakfast in the kitchen, a pitcher is a must-have feature of your dining and entertaining set.

Prior to indoor plumbing and the advent of sinks, people paired a pitcher with a wash basin on their bedside stand. Today, an antique washstand might be used as a nightstand or bedside table. These pitchers, along with the washstand, were essential in any bedroom.

Today, in displaying vintage ceramic pitchers on your Welsh kitchen dresser or in a corner cupboard, you’re inviting a pop of color and an alluring texture to mingle with your other serveware. But when entertaining, you’re likely going to put this decorative vessel to work. Some glazed stoneware and metal pitchers are outfitted with hinged lids to provide insulation, while potters and other craft artists at the time might have made complementary glasses or teacups to pair with their pitchers for a complete serving set. Glass and stoneware pitchers are perfect for serving beverages, but if you’re serving from a metal pitcher, you’ll want to ensure that the material is food-grade stainless steel.

For a simple home accent, consider using that wonderfully aging vintage metal pitcher as a vase for your flowers (be sure to use a watertight plastic liner or insert) or as a receptacle to display and organize your cooking utensils. Given the venturesome design sensibility that we associate with mid-century modernism, a mid-century modern pitcher is going to prove a unique and sophisticated decorative touch to any room in your home. While your farmhouse-style interior is practically begging for the earthy tones of a terracotta pitcher, an ironstone pitcher will bring ornate details to your mantel.

Find a collection of new, vintage and antique pitchers today on 1stDibs.