Teapot and milk jug, part of a tea service c. 1809 - 1814

This teapot and milk jug are part of a tea service made by Koninklijke Porseleinfabriek Dommer & Co. The pieces are made of porcelain, a refined ceramic material prized for its whiteness, translucency, and ability to take delicate forms. Porcelain objects are made by firing clay at extremely high temperatures. The process often involves casting the material into molds, as evidenced by the teapot’s smooth, rounded form and repeated details. Decoration is added on top of the fired surface, with hand-painted floral swags and gilded details. These colorful additions contrast beautifully with the bright white body of the teapot, and would have been quite eye-catching in their time. Notably, these are decorative objects, rather than sculptural ones, and would have been at the center of social rituals and display. The decoration of these pieces speaks to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption, as the hand-painted decoration would require a team of skilled artisans. By understanding the materials, making process, and original context of the teapot, we gain a deeper appreciation for its historical and cultural significance.