Theepot, behorend tot theeservies, afgerond rechthoekig, met monogram AS 1838

Here is a silver teapot, part of a tea service, crafted by Fa. As. Bonebakker en Zoon. This object speaks volumes about the rituals of domestic life and social status. In a time when tea was a coveted import, owning a silver tea service was a statement of wealth and belonging to a particular social class. Note the monogram 'AS' on the side, hinting at the personal identity and family history intertwined with this object. The choice of silver, its craftsmanship, and even the form of the teapot, all reflect specific cultural values and aesthetic preferences. Consider the labor, materials, and trade networks required to bring this teapot into existence. It embodies a complex web of global exchange. In its very form, the teapot brings narratives of trade, class, and personal identity to the foreground, inviting us to reflect on the stories objects tell about ourselves.