Designer: Ashley Rosebrook (b. 1973)

Item: Swid Powell Bugs Bunny Water Pitcher

Manufactred by: Plata Lappas, Buenos Aires for Swid Powell

Country of origin: Argentina

Year made: 1996

Materials: Silverplate over brass

Dimensions:  11 ¼” x 9 ½” (from spout to end of handle) x 5” (diameter of container)

Condition: Mint in original box and packaging with original insert and edition certification.  We removed it from its sealed plastic bag because the plastic would have eventually damaged the surface of the silverplate.  The lid to the original box is missing and the box is dented, but retains its original $350 price label as shown.

Description: Swid Powell was contracted by Warner Bros. Entertainment to produce several objects for sale at the Warner Bros Studio Store.  These were produced in an edition of only 150 examples of each object, and each object was accompanied by a certificate of authenticity with the number from the edition.  Although not credited by the firm, the principle designer for this object was Ashley Rosebrook, an in-house designer for Swid Powell who was hired as a recent graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in industrial design.  Only 150 were produced, and this was number 18 from that production.  The couple of other examples that we have seen come to market, and much in lesser condition, were priced higher than what we are asking for an example worthy of a museum collection. These are hard to find to begin with, so finding one in mint condition in its original box and packing is a true rarity.

An example of this pitcher is on permanent display at Yale University Art Gallery that was donated from Nan Swid’s personal collection.  An ice bucket with Bugs Bunny’s ears as the handle to the lid was also produced in an edition of 150.  There was also a pair of ice tongs and a pair of salad servers with Buggs Bunny’s paws.  Swid Powell also did some design commission objects for Walt Disney Company, such as the well-known Mickey Mouse letter opener and keychain, but these were produced in the much larger editions of 3,000 pieces.