“Penny Woodens” Tea Set 1913 - 1917

This “Penny Woodens” tea set was made by S. Fielding and Company, and it is currently housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I can only imagine that the hand painting process here must have been a labor of love—the delicate figures and naive landscapes float across the ceramic surfaces with an unassuming joy. I think about the original artists and their team, each carefully applying their unique touch to the tea set’s decoration. They must have sought a whimsical quality of line and figuration to appeal to children. The limited color palette creates a cohesive yet playful dynamic across the set. And the gold trim adds a touch of elegance to the simplicity of the design. These artists remind me that painting is a way of seeing, thinking, and experiencing the world, while having fun in the process. From cave paintings to ceramics, artists are in an ongoing conversation, exchanging ideas, and inspiring one another across time.