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

Teapot

1800-1801 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This teapot was used for making tea by infusing tea leaves in hot water, in much the same manner as today. The teapot form which evolved in Europe began as an imitation of the Chinese wine pot. Although the first silver teapots date from the late 17th century, by the time this teapot was made the object was a familiar one in many households. A wide choice of material, including cheaper ceramics and glass as well as inexpensive metal products such as Sheffield plate and tinned copper, expanded the market for tea wares.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Teapot
  • Lid for a Teapot
Materials and techniques
Silver, raised and engraved, carved ivory handle
Brief description
Silver with ivory handle, York hallmarks for 1800-01, mark of H. Prince and Co.
Physical description
Silver, plain, squat, globular with ivory handle and knop, raised sheet seamed at back. Crest on body and lid.
Dimensions
  • Height: 13.5cm
  • Height: 24.75cm
  • Width: 14.5cm
  • Weight: 571.05g
Marks and inscriptions
  • York hallmarks for 1800-01 (On base: maker H Prince & Co., duty, sterling, York mark, date letter for 1800-1; Lid: maker, duty, sterling.)
  • Mark of H. Prince and Co.
  • Engraved crest (unidentified)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Arthur Hurst
Object history
Arthur Hurst Bequest
Unidentified crest

Neg._No: je 2035
Summary
This teapot was used for making tea by infusing tea leaves in hot water, in much the same manner as today. The teapot form which evolved in Europe began as an imitation of the Chinese wine pot. Although the first silver teapots date from the late 17th century, by the time this teapot was made the object was a familiar one in many households. A wide choice of material, including cheaper ceramics and glass as well as inexpensive metal products such as Sheffield plate and tinned copper, expanded the market for tea wares.
Bibliographic references
  • Oman, Charles, Catalogue of rings in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1930, reprinted Ipswich, 1993, cat. 905
  • Made in York. Inventing & Enlightening the Georgian City. Catalogue of the exhibition held at Fairfax House, York, 5 May - 12 November, 2017. York: Fairfax House, 2017.
Collection
Accession number
M.168:1, 2-1940

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Record createdMarch 8, 2004
Record URL
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