Name/Title
Teapot or PunchpotEntry/Object ID
A1982.14.144Description
Teapot having a compressed globular body standing on three molded feet with a crabstock handle and spout and a flat cover (A1982.14.142), decorated with sprig relief decoration of leaves and berries and a meandering vine and highlighted with brown and green underglaze oxides.Context
This teapot represents a type of ceramic object commonly referred to as creamware, so called for the cream-colored earthenware clay body. Developed in the 1750s by the potteries of Staffordshire, England, creamware features a clear lead glaze and a lighter, more refined clay body than white salt-glazed stoneware. Creamware uses the same clay as salt-glazed stoneware, but is fired at a lower temperature. The desire for whiter body and a shinier surface was driven largely by the popularity of expensive porcelain imported from China. Creamware served as a less expensive substitute for Chinese porcelain and English and European soft-paste porcelain, and would surpass white salt-glazed stoneware in popularity by about 1780, remaining popular through the 1840s. The colorful decoration on this piece reflects the innovation of potter Thomas Wheildon, achieved by the application of colored stains under the lead glaze.
The larger size of this teapot also reflects the changing availability of imported consumer goods, such as tea. Earlier in the eighteenth century, tea was very expensive, and both teapots and tea cups were small. As tea became more available and less expensive, it became more economical to brew the beverage in larger volumes and both teapots and teacups increased in size and volume. It is also possible that this pot was used as a punchpot, given its larger size.Collection
CeramicsMade/Created
Date made
circa 1750 - circa 1760Time Period
18th CenturyPlace
County
StaffordshireCountry
EnglandRegion
Great Britain, British Isles, Western EuropeContinent
EuropeRelationships
Related Places
Place
Location
StentonCity
PhiladelphiaState/Province
PennsylvaniaCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North AmericaRelated Events
Event
1982 Archeological ExcavationRelated Entries
Notes
Lid is A1982.14.142 (CO142)
