Teapot (part of set) 1789 - 1790

Editor: So, here we have a teapot from Daniel Denney, residing at the Harvard Art Museums. I’m struck by the contrast between the rigid, almost industrial shape and the delicate floral engravings. What do you see when you look at this piece? Curator: The interplay of geometric form and organic detail certainly presents a compelling visual tension. Consider the vertical fluting; how does this linear repetition affect our perception of the vessel's volume and surface? Editor: It makes me think of classical columns, but in a very streamlined way. I guess I see the fluting as both decorative and structural. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. The artist's formal choices invite us to consider the historical precedents and the very essence of utilitarian art.