Teapot
ca. 1690-1700 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
The Elers brothers, the makers of the teapot, were silversmiths from the Netherlands, and it was probably their lack of experience in throwing, combined with their knowledge of casting metals, that led them to invent slip-casting. This involved pouring liquid clay into plaster moulds and allowing the water to evaporate, leaving a very thin casting in clay. As later Staffordshire potters were to discover, slip-casting allowed repetition of complex asymmetrical or non-circular shapes. Curiously, this potential was never fully exploited by the Elerses themselves, who frequently cast shapes that could have easily been thrown on a wheel.
Most Elers pieces are of slip-cast red stoneware inspired by Chinese Yixing examples, finished on a lathe and with stamped decoration. This teapot is a very rare example in salt-glazed stoneware, made before their move to Staffordshire, in contravention of the patent held by the London potter John Dwight. It is also one of the earliest examples of English pottery with enamelled decoration, which was probably added by a Dutch craftsman. The Elers brothers specialized in making small beer mugs and wares for the new hot drinks, tea, coffee and chocolate, all three of which were expensive luxury imports during the seventeenth century.
Most Elers pieces are of slip-cast red stoneware inspired by Chinese Yixing examples, finished on a lathe and with stamped decoration. This teapot is a very rare example in salt-glazed stoneware, made before their move to Staffordshire, in contravention of the patent held by the London potter John Dwight. It is also one of the earliest examples of English pottery with enamelled decoration, which was probably added by a Dutch craftsman. The Elers brothers specialized in making small beer mugs and wares for the new hot drinks, tea, coffee and chocolate, all three of which were expensive luxury imports during the seventeenth century.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
Materials and techniques | Salt-glazed stoneware, slip-cast, painted in enamels and with replacement silver spout |
Brief description | Teapot, slip-cast salt-glazed stoneware, made at the factory of David Elers, Vauxhall, decoration by a Dutch enameller probably also in London, ca. 1690-1700 |
Dimensions |
|
Gallery label | Teapot
Made at the factory of David Elers, Vauxhall, London, England, decoration added by a Dutch enameller probably also in London, about 1690-1700
Slip-cast salt-glazed stoneware
C.133-1938(23/05/2008) |
Production | Decoration added by a Dutch enameller probably also in London. |
Summary | The Elers brothers, the makers of the teapot, were silversmiths from the Netherlands, and it was probably their lack of experience in throwing, combined with their knowledge of casting metals, that led them to invent slip-casting. This involved pouring liquid clay into plaster moulds and allowing the water to evaporate, leaving a very thin casting in clay. As later Staffordshire potters were to discover, slip-casting allowed repetition of complex asymmetrical or non-circular shapes. Curiously, this potential was never fully exploited by the Elerses themselves, who frequently cast shapes that could have easily been thrown on a wheel. Most Elers pieces are of slip-cast red stoneware inspired by Chinese Yixing examples, finished on a lathe and with stamped decoration. This teapot is a very rare example in salt-glazed stoneware, made before their move to Staffordshire, in contravention of the patent held by the London potter John Dwight. It is also one of the earliest examples of English pottery with enamelled decoration, which was probably added by a Dutch craftsman. The Elers brothers specialized in making small beer mugs and wares for the new hot drinks, tea, coffee and chocolate, all three of which were expensive luxury imports during the seventeenth century. |
Collection | |
Accession number | C.133&A-1938 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | March 31, 2008 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest