“Penny Woodens” Tea Set 1913 - 1917

This porcelain tea set with its painted decoration was made by S. Fielding and Company. It’s called “Penny Woodens” and it brings to mind a nursery rhyme or a children's story with these little figures playing around trees. The palette is restrained, a bit muted, which gives it this lovely antique feel. Look closely and you see that the figures are applied almost like decals, which is how a design is transferred to a ceramic piece. The texture of the paint is smooth, almost like a glaze, with the gold edging adding a touch of sophistication to this whimsical scene. There is one particular figure that catches my eye, a tiny person falling, lying on their side. It’s like a mini drama is unfolding, a little story being played out around this tea set. The charm of this piece reminds me of the work of artists like Red Grooms. The playfulness, the handmade quality, and the way it tells a story. Art is just that, an ongoing conversation across time, with each piece adding a new layer to our understanding of the world.