Wedgwood

English, est. 1759

Teapot, c. 1850

jasperware

12 x 9 x 13.5 cm

Collection of the Winnipeg Art Gallery; Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Barry Ursell

G-94-223 ab

Categories:

Ceramic, Decorative Arts Ceramic

Josiah Wedgwood (1730–1795) was responsible for numerous contributions to British ceramics. In 1774 he developed Jasper—a dense, white stoneware that could be thinly potted and that accepted both stains or thin washes. With its bas-relief ornament, Jasper (also known as Jasperware) quickly proved popular for Neoclassical decoration. Such is the case with this teapot with various classically inspired figural passages enlivening its surface. The relief decoration on the teapot’s lid is taken from designs by Lady Elizabeth Templetown (1747–1823), an amateur sculptor and artist who designed for Wedgwood between 1783 and 1789. Her designs focused on women and children, and indeed the scenes represented on this example include maternal affection and domestic employment. The teapot features a widow finial—a sculpted in-the-round figure of a seated woman, her shawl pulled over her head.