Teapot 1725 - 1740

This teapot, made by Andreas Braun in Augsburg, Germany, is made with hammered and engraved silver, plus wood for the handle. The body of the pot would have been raised by hammering a flat sheet of silver over a stake, gradually coaxing it into this bulbous form. The spout and lid were formed separately, then soldered together. The silversmith has engraved delicate foliate patterns around the upper part of the vessel. Note the contrast with the plain, reflective lower portion, which shows the silversmith's skill in creating a flawless surface. Finally, the dark wooden handle provides a tactile contrast, and a safe way to pour hot tea. In the 1700s, tea drinking was becoming increasingly popular, and silver teapots like this were luxury items that were produced in urban workshops by highly skilled craftspeople for aristocratic customers. As you can see, objects like this bridge the world of design, craft and social class.