Teapot
ca. 1830 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This teapot is made from a tin and copper alloy with the addition of a small amount of lead. In appearance it is similar to pewter.
Manufacture
The alloy is similar to Britannia metal, which consists of 90% tin, 8-10% antimony and small quantities of copper and bismuth. By tradition the recipe for Britannia metal was acquired by James Vickers, a craftsman engaged in the Sheffield metal trade, in 1769 for five shillings from 'a person taken very ill'. Unlike pewter wares, which are usually formed by casting, Britannia metal wares were produced by stamping from sheets of metal. Decorative features, such as cast mouldings, feet and handles, were soldered to the body. Stamped wares were light and thin, and as they required less metal than pewter, were much cheaper. The use of Britannia metal played a significant part in the decline of pewter in Britain, especially in the 19th century. Tea services were among the most popular products made in Britannia metal and its related alloys. In the 1830s, when this teapot was made, Sheffield and Birmingham were developing the use of machine tools, such as stamping presses, and the electroplating process, by which these alloys could be given a coating of silver, ensured the continuing popularity of the alloy up to the First World War.
Maker
The white metal alloy industry, which includes pewter and Britannia metal, was started in Sheffield by James Vickers, who died in 1809. The firm passed into different hands but still retained the brand name Vickers, usually accompanied by the words 'Britannia Place' or 'Sheffield'.
This teapot is made from a tin and copper alloy with the addition of a small amount of lead. In appearance it is similar to pewter.
Manufacture
The alloy is similar to Britannia metal, which consists of 90% tin, 8-10% antimony and small quantities of copper and bismuth. By tradition the recipe for Britannia metal was acquired by James Vickers, a craftsman engaged in the Sheffield metal trade, in 1769 for five shillings from 'a person taken very ill'. Unlike pewter wares, which are usually formed by casting, Britannia metal wares were produced by stamping from sheets of metal. Decorative features, such as cast mouldings, feet and handles, were soldered to the body. Stamped wares were light and thin, and as they required less metal than pewter, were much cheaper. The use of Britannia metal played a significant part in the decline of pewter in Britain, especially in the 19th century. Tea services were among the most popular products made in Britannia metal and its related alloys. In the 1830s, when this teapot was made, Sheffield and Birmingham were developing the use of machine tools, such as stamping presses, and the electroplating process, by which these alloys could be given a coating of silver, ensured the continuing popularity of the alloy up to the First World War.
Maker
The white metal alloy industry, which includes pewter and Britannia metal, was started in Sheffield by James Vickers, who died in 1809. The firm passed into different hands but still retained the brand name Vickers, usually accompanied by the words 'Britannia Place' or 'Sheffield'.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Pewter (an alloy of tin, lead and copper), with wooden handle and replaced wooden knop |
| Brief description | Teapot, Britannia metal, marked 'Vickers', Sheffield; ca. 1830. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Mark on the bottom of the pot stamped: "VICKERS" |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
In 1769 James Vickers of Sheffield bought the formula for Britannia metal alloy from its inventor. By 1820 there were many Britannia metal manufacturers, chiefly in Sheffield and Birmingham. This teapot, however, has been made using an alloy without antimony, and closer to softer pewter.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by Patricia Astley-Cooper |
| Object history | Made at James Vickers' factory, Sheffield |
| Summary | Object Type This teapot is made from a tin and copper alloy with the addition of a small amount of lead. In appearance it is similar to pewter. Manufacture The alloy is similar to Britannia metal, which consists of 90% tin, 8-10% antimony and small quantities of copper and bismuth. By tradition the recipe for Britannia metal was acquired by James Vickers, a craftsman engaged in the Sheffield metal trade, in 1769 for five shillings from 'a person taken very ill'. Unlike pewter wares, which are usually formed by casting, Britannia metal wares were produced by stamping from sheets of metal. Decorative features, such as cast mouldings, feet and handles, were soldered to the body. Stamped wares were light and thin, and as they required less metal than pewter, were much cheaper. The use of Britannia metal played a significant part in the decline of pewter in Britain, especially in the 19th century. Tea services were among the most popular products made in Britannia metal and its related alloys. In the 1830s, when this teapot was made, Sheffield and Birmingham were developing the use of machine tools, such as stamping presses, and the electroplating process, by which these alloys could be given a coating of silver, ensured the continuing popularity of the alloy up to the First World War. Maker The white metal alloy industry, which includes pewter and Britannia metal, was started in Sheffield by James Vickers, who died in 1809. The firm passed into different hands but still retained the brand name Vickers, usually accompanied by the words 'Britannia Place' or 'Sheffield'. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.47-2000 |
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| Record created | September 22, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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