Teapot
Decorative Arts and Design
On View: American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, Radical Care
Tea, imported from Chinese estates, was an expensive luxury until the end of the eighteenth century, requiring equipment for its brewing, serving, and consumption. Silversmiths fashioned a variety of vessels for the beverage. The swelling inverted-pear form, engraved decoration, and glistening silver of this teapot would have emphasized the cost of the materials and the wealth of the owner rather than the labor used to produce and serve the drink.
MEDIUM
Silver, wood
DATES
ca. 1750
DIMENSIONS
6 1/8 x 9 9/16 x 4 15/16 in. (15.6 x 24.3 x 12.5 cm) (show scale)
MARKINGS
Engraved on bottom: E B with Y-like figure between.
SIGNATURE
no signature
INSCRIPTIONS
no inscriptions
COLLECTIONS
Decorative Arts and Design
ACCESSION NUMBER
1997.188.2
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Wunsch Americana Foundation, Inc.
PROVENANCE
Prior to 1992, provenance not yet documented; by 1992, acquired by Wunsch Americana Foundation; December 31, 1997, gift of Wunsch Americana Foundation to the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Silver teapot with inverted, pear-shaped body on stepped, molded, applied foot ring. Short, cast, s-shaped spout with fluted panels at lower section and blank acanthus pad at the top of spout. C-shaped wooden handle with c-curved thumb rest; cylindrical lower socket, scrolled upper socket. Slightly domed, hinged lid with cast, inverted pineapple finial. Shoulder of pot is chased with ruffles, c-scrolls, and floral motifs. Chased, eight-pointed medallion centers finial.
CONDITION: Normal wear, otherwise fine.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, Radical Care
CAPTION
William Simpkins (American, 1704–1780). Teapot, ca. 1750. Silver, wood
, 6 1/8 x 9 9/16 x 4 15/16 in. (15.6 x 24.3 x 12.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Wunsch Americana Foundation, Inc., 1997.188.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1997.188.2_PS6.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 1997.188.2_PS6.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2012
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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