Kvass Pitcher

(Russian, kvasnik), a vessel for storing and pouring kvass. The utensil dates from the end of the 17th century; it originated as a product of the Gshel’ ceramic enterprises. The massiveness of the kvass pitcher’s disk-shaped body (which sometimes has a hole through the middle) is emphasized by the curves of the handle, spout, and neck. In the 1770’s and 1780’s kvass pitchers were painted with decorations, and the base of the neck was ornamented with sculptured compositions, often of battle and hunting scenes. Later, kvass pitchers were decorated solely with paintings with various motifs, such as people, animals, or buildings. Today kvass pitchers serve a mainly decorative purpose.