Teapot
ca. 1685 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
The teapot was one of a series of new vessels that European silversmiths developed for the imported drinks of tea, coffee and chocolate. At first teapots were modelled on Chinese ceramic wine pots, but by the early 18th century globular or pear-shaped vessels became more common. English teapots were generally made of silver, reflecting the status of the new beverage. Due to the cost of tea and its limited availability, early teapots were generally small.
Time
The practice of drinking tea was brought to Britain from China at the beginning of the 17th century, and was made especially fashionable by the court of Catherine of Braganza, the wife of Charles II. First used for medicinal purposes, tea-drinking quickly became fashionable among the wealthy and sophisticated by the mid-century.
The teapot was one of a series of new vessels that European silversmiths developed for the imported drinks of tea, coffee and chocolate. At first teapots were modelled on Chinese ceramic wine pots, but by the early 18th century globular or pear-shaped vessels became more common. English teapots were generally made of silver, reflecting the status of the new beverage. Due to the cost of tea and its limited availability, early teapots were generally small.
Time
The practice of drinking tea was brought to Britain from China at the beginning of the 17th century, and was made especially fashionable by the court of Catherine of Braganza, the wife of Charles II. First used for medicinal purposes, tea-drinking quickly became fashionable among the wealthy and sophisticated by the mid-century.
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Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver gilt |
| Brief description | Teapot - matted |
| Physical description | Teapot (design form Chinese Porc.) |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Maker's mark: 'R.H', possibly for Richard Hoare |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
This is a very early English teapot. The 'melon-shape' was probably inspired by Chinese winepots seen by European travellers. However, the decoration, such as the alternate segments of matt and burnished silver and the acorn-shaped finial on the lid, is typically English.(27/03/2003) |
| Object history | Made in London |
| Summary | Object Type The teapot was one of a series of new vessels that European silversmiths developed for the imported drinks of tea, coffee and chocolate. At first teapots were modelled on Chinese ceramic wine pots, but by the early 18th century globular or pear-shaped vessels became more common. English teapots were generally made of silver, reflecting the status of the new beverage. Due to the cost of tea and its limited availability, early teapots were generally small. Time The practice of drinking tea was brought to Britain from China at the beginning of the 17th century, and was made especially fashionable by the court of Catherine of Braganza, the wife of Charles II. First used for medicinal purposes, tea-drinking quickly became fashionable among the wealthy and sophisticated by the mid-century. |
| Bibliographic reference | Hernmark, The Art of the European Silversmith , pl. 301 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.48-1939 |
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| Record created | June 25, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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