Teapot

Dateabout 1810-1820

MediumMold-formed, buff-colored earthenware with a blue-tinted glaze, underglaze cobalt blue decoration, and overglaze gilding

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height including lid x width x depth): 5 3/4 x 9 1/2 x 5 1/2in. (14.6 x 24.1 x 14cm)

ClassificationsCeramics

Credit LineBequest of Martha R. Lambert

Object number1979.68.714a-b

DescriptionOval teapot and lid of buff-colored earthenware with a blue-tinted glaze, a type of ceramic known as pearlware. The body of the teapot (.a) swells from an oval foot with vertical bands of ribbing half way up the teapot before narrowing to an oval neck. The teapot has a molded and applied handle opposite a similarly molded spout; these have been applied over mold lines on the body. There is a band of hand-painted underglaze cobalt blue just below the narrowest point of the neck. This band shows the remnants of gilded decoration, in the form of a series of circles. A few spots of gilded decoration also remain on the spout, rim, and sides, suggesting that the teapot once had additional decorative gilding. The oval lid (.b) has ribbed decoration radiating out from the mold-formed, circular finial that was applied to the center. The rim is painted with a band of underglaze cobalt blue that has the remnants of gilding in a few spots. There is a small hole in the lid to allow steam to escape. Crazing covers all the surfaces and old hairline cracks on the lower half of the teapot. An area of brown discoloration on the rim to the left of the handle on the teapot corresponds with a brown area on the rim of the lid.

NotesHistorical Note: The home of Martha Ruhamah Tryon Lambert (1892-1979) was located at 712 Main Street in South Glastonbury, Connecticut.

Status

Not on view