Teapot 1891 - 1894

This porcelain teapot was produced by the American Art China Company, which operated for a brief time in the 1890s. The factory aimed to take on European producers by incorporating transfer-printed decoration and gilding. Notice how the porcelain clay, when fired, has vitrified, resulting in a smooth, glass-like surface. The floral motifs have been applied with great care, and further embellished with hand-painted details. The gilding gives the teapot a luxurious shimmer, suggestive of value and class. Although porcelain can appear quite delicate, in reality, the material is strong, especially when fired at high temperatures. It can be mass-produced using molds, which allowed the American Art China Company to produce affordable luxury items. This teapot speaks to a desire to make fine things accessible, even as it reinforces social distinctions. As you can see, looking closely at the material and process can tell us a lot about the wider world.