Teapot with portraits of King George III (1738–1820) and Queen Charlotte (1744–1818) 1756 - 1766

This salt-glazed stoneware teapot, made by a Whieldon-type factory in England, features portraits of King George III and Queen Charlotte. It is not just a functional object but a statement of loyalty, produced for a specific market keen to display its allegiance. Looking closely, you'll notice the molded portraits of the King and Queen, flanking a royal coat of arms. The image creates meaning through visual codes, referencing the hierarchies of 18th-century British society. The monarchy was central to British identity. The rise of industrial production allowed for the mass production of such commemorative items, making royal imagery accessible to a wider public. Historians of art and material culture explore probate inventories, trade cards, and pattern books to understand the social and economic context surrounding objects like this teapot. These resources help us to understand the social and political meanings that may be attached to such an object.