Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 138, The Harry and Carol Djanogly Gallery

Teapot and Cover

ca. 1800-1810 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This teapot shows a 'marbled' decoration. This was achieved by applying different coloured slips (liquid clay) to an earthenware body. The slips could then be worked through, such as by dragging a comb, to create patterning. With this teapot the slip appears to have been brushed on.

In appearance marbled wares are similar to earlier agate-ware. Agate-ware involved wedging different coloured clays together to form the body. The patterning was therefore solid throughout rather than being a marbled covering. Agate-ware was more time-consuming and expensive to perfect than surface marbling and was mainly produced during the early to mid eighteenth century, whereas marbling continued into the early nineteenth century.


Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Teapot Body
  • Teapot Cover
Materials and techniques
Earthenware
Brief description
Teapot and cover, earthenware with surface 'marbled' decoration, Staffordshire, about 1800-10.
Physical description
Teapot, earthenware with surface 'marbled' decoration and painted green band around body rim.
Dimensions
  • Height: 11.5cm
  • Diameter: 10.5cm
conversion
Production typeMass produced
Production
Painted green band helps to date this object to early nineteenth century rather than late eighteenth century
Summary
This teapot shows a 'marbled' decoration. This was achieved by applying different coloured slips (liquid clay) to an earthenware body. The slips could then be worked through, such as by dragging a comb, to create patterning. With this teapot the slip appears to have been brushed on.

In appearance marbled wares are similar to earlier agate-ware. Agate-ware involved wedging different coloured clays together to form the body. The patterning was therefore solid throughout rather than being a marbled covering. Agate-ware was more time-consuming and expensive to perfect than surface marbling and was mainly produced during the early to mid eighteenth century, whereas marbling continued into the early nineteenth century.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.366A-1923

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Record createdFebruary 2, 2009
Record URL
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