Not on display

Brouhaha

Vase
2007 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

With this piece David Clarke has created a startling juxtaposition of the old and new. Clarke uses a 19th-century teapot as the basis for this composition. The teapot is sawn in half, the pieces joined together with lead inserts to create another functional object: a vase. The title, literally meaning a commotion or uproar, could refer to the treatment of the teapot, as well as being a play on words, referring to the former function of the pot, to brew tea.

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Object details

Category
Object type
TitleBrouhaha (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Electroplated Britannia metal with soldered, lead inserts.
Brief description
Vase 'Brouhaha', electroplated metal and lead, designed and made by David Clarke, London 2007
Physical description
Electroplated Britannia metal teapot, Rococo revival, ca.1850-1900 decorated with foliage, hoop handle resting on four cast feet, sawn in half and extended by lead inserts following the shape of the original vessel which have been added to the central section to create an L-shaped vase. The original domed lid, surmounted by a knop, retained and hinged to the body at one end.
Dimensions
  • Height: 19cm
  • Length: 35.5cm
  • Depth: 18cm
Gallery label
(09.02.24)
Brouhaha Vase
Electroplated Britannia Metal with lead inserts
London, 2007
David Clarke
Given to the V&A as one of the winners of the Sotheby's Award at COLLECT 2007
M.3-2007

David Clarke enjoys playing with materials and processes to ask questions and challenge approaches to working metal. To make Brouhaha, Clarke has taken a Britannia Metal teapot from the 1860s, sawn it in half and inserted angled lead panels to elongate the teapot and turn it into a vase. Britannia Metal was an industrial metal consisting mostly of tin and was used for inexpensive teapots and tankards throughout the 19th century.
Credit line
Given to the V&A as one of the winners of the Sotheby's Award at COLLECT 2007
Object history
Bought from Gallerie SO at the Collect Art Fair held at the V&A, 2007. This was given to the V&A as one of the winners of the Sotheby's Award for that year, chosen by Janice Blackburn, a freelance curator of contemporary craft.
Summary
With this piece David Clarke has created a startling juxtaposition of the old and new. Clarke uses a 19th-century teapot as the basis for this composition. The teapot is sawn in half, the pieces joined together with lead inserts to create another functional object: a vase. The title, literally meaning a commotion or uproar, could refer to the treatment of the teapot, as well as being a play on words, referring to the former function of the pot, to brew tea.
Collection
Accession number
M.3-2007

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Record createdMarch 15, 2007
Record URL
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