Teapot (part of a set) 1813 - 1814

This is a silver-gilt teapot, made by Paul Storr, a leading English silversmith during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Consider how an object like this speaks volumes about the historical context in which it was created. The elaborate design, the expensive materials, all suggest a wealthy clientele and a society marked by significant class divisions. Tea became increasingly popular during this period, and was deeply intertwined with England’s colonial ambitions. Think about the routes that tea took to reach England, and the labor involved in its production. The East India Company, which controlled the tea trade, was not only a commercial enterprise but also a symbol of British power and exploitation. Storr’s teapot, with its exquisite craftsmanship, offers us a window into a complex web of social relations, economic structures, and cultural practices. It invites us to reflect on the stories behind the objects we often take for granted.