Description:
Chinese export porcelain tea canister decorated with a landscape scene in sepia tones of burnt ochre and brown with gilding, which has one of five pieces: a teapot, tea canister, waste bowl, cream pot, and teacup. According to family tradition, the set belonged to Dr. Thomas Williams (1718-1775) of Deerfield, but more likely belonged to his son, Dr. William Stoddard Williams (1762-1829). In the 1790s, "sets of china," "china cups and saucers," and "china tea sets" began to appear in Connecticut Valley estate inventories. Prior to this time, the few porcelain tea drinking forms owned in this region were rarely owned in sets with matching decoration. The 1803 account book of Amos Porter (1763-1815) of Vermont, which is owned by Connecticut Historical Society, lists Porter's transactions in Canton, China, and includes "Bot of Synchong / 3 Setts of China ware for Luke Wadsworth / 2 Setts China ware for Children." The rectangular tea canister has a lid with an unglazed bezel, and a molded, litchi nut knob showing traces of the original gilding and brown leaves. The body has a round, vertical neck with straight sides; over rounded shoulders that have an overhanging rectangular cap; over tall, straight sides; and a flat base. The two sides have a hilly landscape scene with a castle and trees, painted in sepia tones of burnt ochre and brown and encircled with gilt and brown. The lid and shoulders are encircled by a geometric dot border pattern enclosed by brown and gilt lines.
Subjects:
Pottery; Enamel and enameling; glaze (coating by location); Porcelain Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+61.195.2 |
