Teapot thumbnail 1
Teapot thumbnail 2
+2
images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Silver, Room 67, The Whiteley Galleries

Teapot

1880 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The design for this service was registered on 25 April 1880. Christopher Dresser worked with a number of manufacturing silversmiths, including Elkington's. He was advanced in his understanding of industrial techniques and the possibilities they opened up for new initiatives in design. Consumers liked his simple, functional shapes influenced by a Japanese aesthetic, but many preferred to purchase re-workings in historic taste, such as Rococo or Neo-classicism.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Electroplated nickel silver
Brief description
Electroplate, Sheffield ca.1880, made by James Dixon & Sons, designed by Christopher Dresser.
Physical description
The teapot of globular form, the wooden handle stained black. The body rests on three scroll feet.
Dimensions
  • Height: 11.00cm
  • Length: 18.50cm
  • Width: 10.50cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
  • Stamped on the underside with a facsimile signature of the designer (Chr. Dresser), the EP mark and the initials of james Dixon and Sons, together with their trade mark, the production number 2273 and the design registry mark for 25 April 1880.
  • Japanese, Aesthetic
Object history
From a tea service. The design for this service was registered on 25th April 1880. Christopher Dresser, who worked with a number of manufacturing silversmiths including Elkingtons, was advanced in his understanding of industrial techniques and the possibilities they could open up for new initiatives in design. His style of simple, functional shapes mixed with a Japanese aesthetic influence did prove popular with consumers although many preferred to purchase re-workings in historic taste such as rococo or neoclassicsm.

Silver City Exhibition RF.2006/131
Summary
The design for this service was registered on 25 April 1880. Christopher Dresser worked with a number of manufacturing silversmiths, including Elkington's. He was advanced in his understanding of industrial techniques and the possibilities they opened up for new initiatives in design. Consumers liked his simple, functional shapes influenced by a Japanese aesthetic, but many preferred to purchase re-workings in historic taste, such as Rococo or Neo-classicism.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.279-1961

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Record createdMarch 3, 2004
Record URL
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