Teapot
1723–24
Medium
Silver, wood
Dimensions
Overall: 5 1/4 × 9 1/4 in. (13.3 × 23.5 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Silver
Culture
Irish, Dublin
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Mary Strong Shattuck, 1935
Accession Number
35.80.133
Tags
Art Historical Context
Crafted by renowned Dublin silversmith David King between 1723 and 1724, this elegant teapot exemplifies the exquisite metalwork produced in early 18th Ireland. Standing at 5¼ × 9¼ inches, it is fashioned from gleaming silver with a wooden handle for practicality and comfort, reflecting the high craftsmanship of Dublin's thriving silver trade. The inclusion of a coat of arms—likely engraved on its surface—suggests it was commissioned for a prosperous family, underscoring silverware's role as a status symbol during the Georgian era. In the context of Europe's burgeoning tea culture, teapots li...