Silver Teapot c. 1936

This is Eugene Croe’s rendering of a silver teapot, likely made in the late 19th or early 20th century. Croe worked as a designer, and here, he captures the ornate detail of silversmithing intended for a wealthy clientele. Such objects, beyond their practical use, functioned as symbols of status and taste, reflecting the socio-economic structures of the time. Silver teapots were often central to social rituals, particularly among women. Tea ceremonies became a stage for performing gentility and class distinctions. The teapot, therefore, represents a complex interplay of domesticity, gender roles, and social aspirations. This drawing can be seen as more than just a design study. It embodies the values of an era marked by industrial expansion and social stratification. In its intricate details, we see the echoes of societal norms and the quiet narratives of those who both upheld and navigated them.