Teapot c. 1770

This delicately patterned teapot was made by the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company and is now held at the Art Institute of Chicago. Its octagonal form provides a structure for its many colours and patterns, a balance of rigid geometry with naturalistic floral elements. Look at the interplay between the white porcelain and the painted motifs. These include stylized dragons, blossoms and geometric panels. Each facet of the teapot presents a different vignette, creating a sense of movement and variation around the object. The overall design suggests a fascination with asymmetry and the juxtaposition of contrasting elements, a tension between Eastern and Western aesthetics. Note how the handle and spout, with their simple curves, contrast with the complexity of the painted surface. This tension encapsulates a broader discourse about the relationship between form and decoration, function and artistry.