Ice-cold lemonade in the summer heat, or iced tea, pulling the humidity out of the air and forming beads of water on the outside of a glass pitcher. A scene out of the past, what with the use of plastic pitchers now. And, considering breakage and injury possible with glass, the switch to plastic is not a bad thing. So now our glass pitchers will have to be displayed and used only occasionally, by the very adult and careful residents of our homes.

A cut glass pitcher is really a beautiful thing. It is also usually heavy enough to require two hands to use it, since the glass has to be relatively thick to allow for the cut facets. But the way it reflects light, it doesn’t matter if it is never actually used.

A collection of plain glass pitchers, of various round shapes and various colors, would make a great decorative statement in a kitchen. Just a simple shelf with these glass containers standing in beauty would bring light and color to the room.

Or combine glass pitchers and decanters: similar shapes but some with stoppers and some with handles. Stand them together in a mass on the wet-bar or buffet table, where they will look like a million dollars without actually costing that much. Beautiful new decanters and pitchers are made every day all over the world. Get a few and see what you can do.

If you have antique, rather than modern, glass pitchers, handle them with care. They have survived until now, so don’t be the one that breaks the good luck that brought that about. Wash and dry gently, and do not let any beverage or pulp dry in the pitcher. Rinse as soon as the last glass is poured. This is not rude, but prudent. Tell the story of the pitcher as you work and no one will notice what you are doing.

Smaller glass pitchers are used for various sauces, if one keeps this kind of household. Mine sit and look beautiful with other members of my glass collection. Some are cut glass, and some are not.

The form of a pitcher is really graceful if made correctly. The rounded bowl on its short foot, then gathered into shoulders and neck, with the mouth formed into a spout. Finally a handle is added, anchored at one or two points. Sounds almost indecent.

Not all pitchers are round in cross-section. Some are square or triangular in shape. Other have a stem between the foot and the bowl. There are pitchers with lids, usually of metal, and pitchers where the glass forms only the rounded body and a metal addition provides the ability to stand up and the handle to pour.

Glass pitchers are not only used for holding and pouring beverages. They can also be used as vases if the flowers are many and large. Long-stem daffodils or tulips stood in a clear glass pitcher is the essence of spring. Or small branches with fall leaves in a glass pitcher for Autumn. A glass pitcher can be a versatile container or beautiful glass collectible. Your choice.

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