39 - TEAPOT: probably Sowter & Co., Mexborough, Yorkshire, c. 1800–11

Summary

White/elspathic stoneware with press-moulded body and applied reliefs, the panels outlined in blue enamel. Mark: ‘22’ impressed. Height 16.5 cm, length 27.6cm. C.1274–1928.

Between about 1785 and 1810 factories in Staffordshire and Yorkshire developed fine stonewares which sometimes have a slight sheen known as ‘smearglaze’. They were well suited for moulding the elegant neo-classical forms and relief ornament made fashionable by Wedgwood and other major potters such as Neale & Co. In Yorkshire, the Castleford Pottery became famous for its white felspathic stoneware, and as a result, teapots like the one illustrated became known as ‘Castleford Teapots’. In fact, they were made by several factories, including one which marked its wares ‘S. & C°.’, perhaps for Sowter & Co. of Mexborough. This teapot has been attributed to that factory because the impressed ‘22’ on its base is sometimes found in conjunction with ‘S. & C.’. and because similar reliefs occur on teapots with that mark.

Teapots of this shaped oval form are described as silver- or commode-shaped (after the curving fronts of French chests-of-drawers). They usually have a low gallery around the lid which slides into position from the handle end instead of lifting off, a device which prevents the lid falling out when the tea is poured.