Teapot
1760/70
Medium
Lead-glazed earthenware (creamware)
Dimensions
10.8 × 19.4 × 10.8 cm (4 1/4 × 7 5/8 × 4 1/4 in.)
Classification
teapot
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
216922
Art Historical Context
This elegant teapot, crafted around 1760–70, exemplifies the creamware revolution in 18th-century European ceramics. Made from lead-glazed earthenware, it features a smooth, creamy glaze that mimics the luxury of porcelain at a fraction of the cost. Produced in England during the height of the Industrial Revolution, creamware like this piece was fired at lower temperatures, allowing for efficient mass production while achieving a refined, translucent finish prized for tea services. Its modest dimensions—10.8 × 19.4 × 10.8 cm—suggest it was designed for domestic use, reflecting the growing pop...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...