teapot & lid

Summary

Teapot : globular body, slightly reeded loop handle, high footring, curved spout, transfer-printed overglaze, black, exterior. Tea Party No.2 depicts well dressed man and woman seated on elegant bench, she passes teabowl and saucer to him, sword at his right. Front left laden ornate pedestal table, distant left balustrade terminating with statue surmounting plinth at gatepost and gate, tree, garden landscape, dog foreground. Leopard lying with musical instruments amongst foreground foliage. Right, flowering plant. Maid and Page no.2 shows woman, left, lifting, laden tea tray from pedestal table, black page walks towards her from right, he carries tea kettle and wears turban, wooded garden landscape. Distant right, buildings, row of trees. Underside of spout cartouche of scroll, shell, diaper and foliage. Upperside shell and scroll device. Enamelled overglaze black band base of neck and footring. Lid : low dome, flattened rim, flower and leaf knop, transfer-printed overglaze, black, upperside. Shepherd and Shepherdess shows man and woman, right, seated on bank amongst wooded rural landscape, holding hands. Her crook rests to right, several sheep grazing, distant left farm buildings. Enamelled overglaze black birds in sky, black band upper rim.

Display Label

Clay Clay is an ancient, universal material. Dug out of the ground, it is basic stuff, formed by the elements, earth, water, air and fire. Its use is one of the oldest human artforms. Clay responds to the touch of your hand, it can be pushed and pulled, squeezed and pinched. Clay has no natural form of its own, and can be shaped into almost anything. It is tactile, inviting, immediate and intimate. When soft, it is marked by the slightest touch, yet once fired, it becomes fixed and permanent. A clay pot will survive for thousands of years, bearing the thumbprint of the potter who made it. Some makers are drawn by clay's physical appeal, its sensuous and tactile qualities. For others it is simply a means to an end, an incredibly diverse and expressive medium with the potential to do almost anything.