teapot

Summary

Globular teapot with slight collar to neck, red earthenware body with three applied white mask and paw feet, and white crabstock handle and spout. Body decorated with applied stamped relief decoration in white comprising two large sprays of fruiting vines flanking handle, two smaller sprays flanking spout. Flat circular cover of red body with applied white bird finial and stamped relief vine leaves and bird. Pierced hole to rear of finial.

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.