Coffee Pot
ca. 1820 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This earthenware teapot was made to look like silver , probably to provide a reasonably priced substitute for real silver.
The technique of adding a metallic layer to ceramics in a simple and relatively cheap way was developed by Staffordshire potters in about 1805. They applied a resin-based liquid containing a suspension of platinum dissolved in aqua regia (a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids). During firing, the resin burnt away, causing a localised reduction and leaving a brilliant film of pure metal. In this case, the solid silver appearance was achieved by firing the coffee pot with platinum resinate lustre in the normal way. The painter then applied a thick layer of platinum-oxide mixed with water and refired the pot.
The technique of adding a metallic layer to ceramics in a simple and relatively cheap way was developed by Staffordshire potters in about 1805. They applied a resin-based liquid containing a suspension of platinum dissolved in aqua regia (a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids). During firing, the resin burnt away, causing a localised reduction and leaving a brilliant film of pure metal. In this case, the solid silver appearance was achieved by firing the coffee pot with platinum resinate lustre in the normal way. The painter then applied a thick layer of platinum-oxide mixed with water and refired the pot.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Lead-glazed earthenware with platinum lustre decoration |
| Brief description | Coffee pot, lead-glazed earthenware with 'silver' (platinum) lustre decoration, made in Staffordshire, ca. 1820 |
| Physical description | Lead-glazed earthenware coffee pot with "silver" (platinum) lustre decoration |
| Marks and inscriptions | 'R' (impressed) |
| Gallery label |
|
| Credit line | Given by Sydney Vacher |
| Summary | This earthenware teapot was made to look like silver , probably to provide a reasonably priced substitute for real silver. The technique of adding a metallic layer to ceramics in a simple and relatively cheap way was developed by Staffordshire potters in about 1805. They applied a resin-based liquid containing a suspension of platinum dissolved in aqua regia (a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids). During firing, the resin burnt away, causing a localised reduction and leaving a brilliant film of pure metal. In this case, the solid silver appearance was achieved by firing the coffee pot with platinum resinate lustre in the normal way. The painter then applied a thick layer of platinum-oxide mixed with water and refired the pot. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.124&A-1909 |
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| Record created | March 31, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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