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A TEAPOT OF 18TH CENTURY
Tea was introduced to Europe by the sailors of the Dutch East India
Company and made its first timid appearance in Paris in 1602.
It was considered at first as a strong medical infusion and its use was
restricted to an elite of enthusiasts. The King Louis XIV itself had
some teapots only in the second part of his reign.
At first the tea was prepared in the same cup in which it was consumed.
The oldest silver teapot is English and dates to 1670 while the oldest
known in Belgium is dated Audenaerde 1702-1704. Its silhouette was
similar to other container used at that time: stumpy shape, wide flat
belly, hinged lid opening perpendicularly to the handle (sometimes
alongside).
Teapot on a circular gadrooned step
Ebony handle with thumbpiece
Bulged body chiseled with three settings of alternated lambrequins,
flowers and leaves decorations
Lid with gadrooned border and acorn finial rising from a flower
The spout has the shape of a bird's neck and joins to the bulged
body of the teapot
This teapot is a excellent example of smooth chiselling and charming
decorations with festoons, lambrequins and floral motives used by
Liége's silversmiths.
Many other teapots of the beginning of 18th century are chiselled in
the same way.
Side hinged lid with engraving, thumbpiece and acorn finial rising
from a flower
The faint Coats of Arm
The hinged cover of the bird's head spout
Ebony handle on two gadrooned supports.
Floral motifs engraved on matt background
Gadrooned lid with floral motifs
Raoul Verbist - 2004 -
English version by Giorgio Busetto, revised by Clem D'Art, from the
original French text
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ASSOCIATION OF SMALL COLLECTORS OF ANTIQUE SILVER
version française
