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Very rare stoneware pitcher from Waldorf Astoria NYC.
This was used in restaurants as a milk pitcher and also for other beverages. It has gold emblem of WA and other gold trim markings. Fully stamped on bottom L. Strauss & Sons expressly for the Waldorf Astoria.
There were several manufacturers that supplied this pattern to the Waldorf-Astoria in the early 1900's when it was still located at original location prior to 1931.
This pattern was in use with these markings and design 1897-1929 and continued when reopened at current location in 1931. This pitcher may have been used at both locations, but is certainly from early 1900's based upon patterns created for The Waldorf.
A rare exclusive historical item from an amazing hotel. I have acquired many WA pieces of the years and have not come across other full size pitchers. It is priced accordingly for a true collector wanting to add it to their collection.
Notes: William Waldorf Astor built and owned the Waldorf Hotel at Fifth Avenue and 33rd Street in New York City. Designed by Henry Hardenbergh, the 13-story luxury hotel opened March 13, 1893, under the auspices of the autocratic George C. Bolt. The Waldorf was the home of the Palm Garden Restaurant, the most exclusive and expensive eating establishment in the city. The hotel grossed more than $4 million in its first year of operation.
WWA's cousin, John Jacob Astor IV, hired Henry Hardenbergh to design a larger hotel on 5th Avenue & 34th Street. The 17-story Astoria, replete with towers, balconies, turrets, and gargoyles, opened on November 1, 1897. Corridors and hallways were connected between the hotels, as did a hyphen connect their names, known thereafter as the Waldorf-Astoria, the world's largest and most luxurious hotel. The Waldorf-Astoria had over 1,000 guest rooms and 50 public rooms.
"On ordinary days the W/A's floating population was in the thousands, mostly composed of transient spectators in a 300-foot-long, deep carpeted, mirrored and amber marble corridor that invited and favored displays of finery and came to be known as Peacock Alley."
The Waldorf-Astoria closed May 2, 1929, was torn down 9/24/29 – 3/12/30 and later replaced by the Empire State Building.
