teapot

Summary

Globular teapot on three mask and paw feet, with crabstock handle and spout and short tapering neck. Applied relief undulating vines to body, embellished with stamped leaves, fruits and small rosettes, two heraldic birds flanking spout at shoulder. Cream coloured earthenware body sponged with manganese brown underglaze oxide, bleeding into glaze to give mottled pattern, feet masks and applied reliefs picked out in gilt, traces of which remain. Shallow domed circular cover with bird finial, flattened rim, and applied stamped bird and flower reliefs, decorated in mottled brown with gilt detail, small pierced hole to one side.

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.