About this artwork
This delicate teapot was crafted in Lowestoft between 1757 and 1803. The Chinoiserie style, popular at the time, imitates Chinese decorative arts. Note the figures: one standing beneath a parasol and the other in motion, carrying something we cannot quite distinguish. These figures hark back to the Silk Road, a conduit not just for goods but also for visual ideas. Observe how the parasol, a symbol of status and protection, echoes in ancient Egyptian art and later, in Renaissance depictions of powerful women. Its form and function adapt, yet its essence remains—a shield against earthly trials. Even in something as commonplace as a teapot, we see the endless migration of symbols, each telling a story of cultural exchange and human longing.
Teapot (part of a service)
1785 - 1815
Artwork details
- Medium
- ceramic, porcelain, sculpture
- Dimensions
- Height (with cover): 6 3/16 in. (15.7 cm)
- Location
- Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
- Copyright
- Public Domain
Tags
asian-art
ceramic
porcelain
sculpture
decorative-art
miniature
Comments
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About this artwork
This delicate teapot was crafted in Lowestoft between 1757 and 1803. The Chinoiserie style, popular at the time, imitates Chinese decorative arts. Note the figures: one standing beneath a parasol and the other in motion, carrying something we cannot quite distinguish. These figures hark back to the Silk Road, a conduit not just for goods but also for visual ideas. Observe how the parasol, a symbol of status and protection, echoes in ancient Egyptian art and later, in Renaissance depictions of powerful women. Its form and function adapt, yet its essence remains—a shield against earthly trials. Even in something as commonplace as a teapot, we see the endless migration of symbols, each telling a story of cultural exchange and human longing.
Comments
Be the first to share your thoughts about this work.