Teapot (Théière)
Classification
ceramics
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of George B. and Georgiana L. McClellan
Accession Number
1936-13-12-a,b
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's ceramics collection, this elegant teapot, known as a *théière*, hails from the esteemed Lille Porcelain Manuf in France, established around 1711.ed circa 1785 during the late Ancien Régime, it exemplifies the refined porcelain production that flourished in provincial French factories, rivaling the royal Sèvres works. Lille's artisans specialized in soft-paste porcelain prized for its delicate translucency and ability to hold intricate painted designs, though specifics of this piece's decoration await further research. In the 18th century, teapo...