Teapots
MakerPossibly made by
Staffordshire potteries
(English, 17th century-present)
Dateabout 1820-1840
MediumMold-formed porcelain with pink luster decoration and red, green, and black enamel
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height including lid x width x depth of each teapot): 6 x 10 x 5 1/4in. (15.2 x 25.4 x 13.3cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Grace Clarkson Wilcox
Object number1935.2.25.1a,b-.2a,b
DescriptionGroup of two, rectangular, porcelain teapots and lids with pink luster decoration. The teapots are part of a larger group of teawares consisting of two teapots, a cream pitcher, a sugar bowl and slop bowl, eight teacups, eight saucers, three plates, and one coffee cup. Each piece is decorated at the rim with a line of pink luster, or gold luster, applied directly to the porcelain to give it a pink appearance, and a border. The border consists of a band of pink luster grapes, green enamel leaves, and red enamel tendrils on a black vine.
The sides of each teapot (.a) swell from a rectangular foot before narrowing again just below the wide neck and narrow rim, a shape that reflects the neoclassical style. There are two mold lines, one at either end of each teapot, beneath the molded and applied handles and spouts. One teapot (.2) has a slightly wider lip on the rim than the other. Each teapot is decorated with three bands of pink luster at the neck and then with the grape, leaf, and vine border circling the sides. Both the spout and the handle have additional pink luster decoration in abstract geometric and naturalistic forms.
The lids (.b) of the teapots are decorated with the same pink luster at the rim, with a grape, leaf, and vine border inside. Each has a small hole to allow steam to escape and a small domed, rectangular finial.
Teapot .1a has slight wear to the luster at the highest point of the handle and on the rim, and has two small chips in the rim of the lid (.b). Teapot .2a has a large chip on the inside of the rim and one small chip in the rim of the lid (.b). Both lids are of a slightly different color from the teapots, possibly the result of aging, and have light crazing on the surfaces. The bottoms and sides of both teapots show many cracks, none of which run up to the rim.
The sides of each teapot (.a) swell from a rectangular foot before narrowing again just below the wide neck and narrow rim, a shape that reflects the neoclassical style. There are two mold lines, one at either end of each teapot, beneath the molded and applied handles and spouts. One teapot (.2) has a slightly wider lip on the rim than the other. Each teapot is decorated with three bands of pink luster at the neck and then with the grape, leaf, and vine border circling the sides. Both the spout and the handle have additional pink luster decoration in abstract geometric and naturalistic forms.
The lids (.b) of the teapots are decorated with the same pink luster at the rim, with a grape, leaf, and vine border inside. Each has a small hole to allow steam to escape and a small domed, rectangular finial.
Teapot .1a has slight wear to the luster at the highest point of the handle and on the rim, and has two small chips in the rim of the lid (.b). Teapot .2a has a large chip on the inside of the rim and one small chip in the rim of the lid (.b). Both lids are of a slightly different color from the teapots, possibly the result of aging, and have light crazing on the surfaces. The bottoms and sides of both teapots show many cracks, none of which run up to the rim.
Status
On view
