teapot

Summary

Public: Teapot in the form of two scallop shells with serpent spout and dolphin handle, blue, brown and white agate earthenware. Private: Teapot in the form of two joined scallop shells, with short straight oval neck. S-shaped spout in the form of an open-mouthed serpent, loop handle in form of dolphin with outturned tail at lower terminal. Relief decoration on either side of fluted shell moulding. Shallow domed oval cover with relief-moulded scallop shells either side of Chinese kylin finial, hole pierced to one side. Finely marbled blue, brown and white earthenware body.

Display Label

The Thomas Greg Collection The Greg Collection of English Pottery was given to the Gallery in 1904 by collector and amateur historian Thomas Greg. One of the great collections of English pottery, it was formed at a time when little was known about the history of ceramics in this country. Over forty years Greg systematically acquired some of the best examples of the potter's art, tracing its development over a thousand years. His collection tells the story of English pottery: of experiment and invention, triumph and downfall, from the unknown medieval craftsman to the world domination of Josiah Wedgwood. In many ways, it is a history of England itself. Greg was driven by a fascination with the past and a desire to contribute to scholarly knowledge. He gave his collection to the Gallery in the hope of inspiring a similar sense of wonder in others.