Description:
Pewter pear-shaped teapot with a domed cover, which was made for export. The base is touchmarked "EDGAR & SON" in an outlined circular band around a circle with a perched bird with a twig in its beak in the center. Preston Edgar I originally was in partnership with Robert Bush and John Curtis in the firm of 'Robert Bush & Co', which dissolved in 1793. Edgar then partnered with John Curtis as 'Edgar, Curtis & Co.' from 1793-1801. Edgar's son, Preston Jr., apprenticed with his father in 1795 and was mentioned in the Poll Book for 1812 as of Temple Street, Bristol. According to Cotterell, the firm of 'Edgar & Son', Pewterers, Worm-makers and Coppersmiths, Edgar & Son being mentioned in the 1840 Directory and 'P. Edgar and Son' in those of 1845 and 1852. Relatively few pewter teapots were made in England for domestic use; English pear-shaped pewter teapots, especially dating from the third quarter of the 18th century, were virtually all produced for the export trade. Few English silver pear-shaped teapots date after 1725; however American silver makers continued the form almost until the Revolution, and imported and domestically produced pewter examples extended the pear form popularity in America. The painted banner, carried on July 23, 1788, in the Federal Procession of Pewterers of New York City to celebrate ratification of the Constitution, displays a pear-shaped teapot as the crest to their arms and as one of three emblematic forms shown above a shop scene. The pear-shaped teapot was sold with and without legs. Date for teapot given by Wayne Hilt, pewter dealer in Connecticut and member of Pewter Collectors Club.
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