Coffeepot or Teapot
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Captain William Kellogg
(American, 1793 - 1861)
MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1820
MediumWheel-thrown Chinese export porcelain with overglaze gilding and enamels in orange, black, brown, peach, and red
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height including lid x width x depth): 10 x 7 x 3 5/8in. (25.4 x 17.8 x 9.2cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineGift of Aetna Life and Casualty, Mrs. Arthur L. Goodrich, and Helen E. Royce, by exchange
Object number1986.175.0a,b
DescriptionTall, round, Chinese export porcelain coffeepot or teapot with gilding and hand-painted overglaze enamels in orange, black, brown, and red. The coffeepot/teapot (.a) has a flat foot and straight sides that taper gently to the rim, a shape referred to as a "lighthouse" coffeepot. The coffeepot/teapot has a straight, molded spout with a gilded tip emerging from one side at a forty-five degree angle, and a molded and applied handle opposite the spout. The handle consists of two twisted straps of porcelain that have been applied to the coffeepot/teapot. Where the handle meets the body, small molded flowers have been applied and then gilded. A thin border decorates the foot of the coffeepot/teapot, consisting of small arrows pointing clockwise. The arrows alternate between brown enamel and gilding. Above this, on both sides of the coffeepot/teapot, is a hand-painted eagle. The eagle has a shield body and clutches a branch in one claw and arrows in the other. A gilded flower is located inside the shield. The eagle's wings are outstretched, and the head faces left. Above the eagle's head, in a semi-circular area, is a field of peach enamel with small gilded stars. This area is outlined by a semi-circular line of brown enamel above, and a gilded sunburst pattern above that. The eagle is painted with brown enamel highlighted in gilding. An elaborate border decorates the rim of the coffeepot/teapot. It consists of a band of orange enamel outlined with a thin line of red enamel above and below. Within the orange enamel, a black and gilded line twists together to form a continuous figure-eight pattern. Small gilded stars are located both above and below this line.
This same border just described is located on the rim of the circular, domed lid (.b). Inside of this is a circular band of small brown and gilt arrows, just like the border at the base of the coffeepot/teapot. There is a small hole in the porcelain lid, and a small molded and applied finial in the shape of a large flower or berry, with a stem and leaves. The entire finial is gilded.
Some of the gilding is worn from the tip of the spout, and remnants of gilding on the handle suggest that the handle was decorated with gilding as well. The gilding is also fading from the flowers painted in the center of the eagle's shield, and there may have once been a band of gilding at the very top of the rim. A large chip is missing from the orange enamel bordered rim of the lid. Two smaller chips have been reglued in place, however, the entire chip has not been restored. There are remnants of clear wax on the rim and foot of the coffeepot, as well as the underside of the lid.
This same border just described is located on the rim of the circular, domed lid (.b). Inside of this is a circular band of small brown and gilt arrows, just like the border at the base of the coffeepot/teapot. There is a small hole in the porcelain lid, and a small molded and applied finial in the shape of a large flower or berry, with a stem and leaves. The entire finial is gilded.
Some of the gilding is worn from the tip of the spout, and remnants of gilding on the handle suggest that the handle was decorated with gilding as well. The gilding is also fading from the flowers painted in the center of the eagle's shield, and there may have once been a band of gilding at the very top of the rim. A large chip is missing from the orange enamel bordered rim of the lid. Two smaller chips have been reglued in place, however, the entire chip has not been restored. There are remnants of clear wax on the rim and foot of the coffeepot, as well as the underside of the lid.
Status
Not on view
