Silver Teapot in the Chinese Taste
Artist
John Bridge
CultureEnglish
Date1825-26
MediumSilver
DimensionsOverall: 2 3/4 x 4 x 6 in. (7 x 10.2 x 15.2 cm)
InscribedSilver marks are located on the body, the handle, the lid and on the Foo Lion finial. The marks present are: the lion passant -- the English symbol for sterling; the leopard's head -- the symbol for the London Assay Office; the letter "k" -- date mark for the silversmith's calendar year 1825/26; the bust of George IV-- the sovereign's head duty mark; and traces of an illegible maker's mark which may be found in two places.
Credit LineGift of Thomas R. McNamara
Object number2002.8
Not on view
DescriptionThis is a sterling silver teapot. The body is in the shape of an eight-lobed melon with the flat hinged lid mirroring the body shape. The lid is surmounted by a Foo Lion finial, which is attached to the lid by a silver screw and nut. The silver handle is attached with bone buttons. The side of the teapot is engraved with the crest used by John Randolph of Roanoke and other members of the Randolph family of Virginia -- an antelope with a trumpet in its mouth.Label TextJohn Bridge English (1755-1834) Teapot in the Chinese Taste, London 1825-26 Silver and ivory Gift of Thomas R. McNamara 2002.8 This unusual English silver teapot is actually based on a ceramic Chinese form. It has descended in the donor's family with the tradition that it once belonged to the colorful Virginia politician and seven-term Congressman, John Randolph of Roanoke, Virginia (1773-1833). Randolph's family crest, an antelope with trumpet in its mouth, is engraved on the side. The teapot's maker, John Bridge, served as Royal Goldsmith to King George IV in the 1820s. Prior to that, he was a partner with Rundell, Bridge and Rundell, the firm responsible for the Charleston Races Cup by Paul Storr, also on view. ProvenanceJohn Randolph, Roanoke, Virginia, 1773-1833; Mrs. Thomas R. McNamara; to her son, Thomas R. McNamara; Gift of Thomas R. McNamara to the Chrysler Museum of Art, 2002. Exhibition History"Reopening of the Joan P. Brock Galleries," Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Va., Opening in March of 2008.
March 22, 1880
18th century - 19th century
