Teapot

Art Historical Context

This elegant teapot, created around 1865 by the Gorham Manufacturing Company in association with Kidney & Johnson, showcases the refined silver craftsmanship of mid-19th-century America. Fashioned from silver with ivory accents, the vessel stands 7 1/4 inches tall and weighs more than 27 troy ounces, its graceful form suggesting both everyday utility and decorative appeal for the dining table. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s American Wing, the piece reflects a time when silver objects signified prosperity and social refinement in American households. The combination of silver and ivory highlights thoughtful design choices that balanced beauty with function, as the ivory handle would have provided a comfortable grip for hot liquids. Acquired in 2016 through the generous gift of the Baker/Pisano Collection, this teapot invites visitors to appreciate the lasting artistry of American metalwork from the post-Civil War era.