teapot

Cockpit Hill

Summary

Ovoid teapot on rolled footring with slightly recessed base, with shallow concave shoulder edged with narrow impressed beaded border, and short straight neck. Plain double intertwined strap loop handle with flower and leaf terminals, tapering S-shaped spout with relief-moulded acanthus detail at base. Broad shallow domed cover with flattened rim, impressed beaded border, and applied convolvulus flower finial with applied flower and leaf reliefs to either side. Small hole pierced to one side. Cream coloured body with heavy, crazed glaze, pooling yellow in moulded details and crevices.

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.