Teapot 1848

Obadiah Rich made this silver teapot sometime in the 19th century. It is an object that reflects wealth and status, but it is also deeply implicated in the history of colonialism and trade. Tea, which it would have contained, became a staple in Europe through colonial trade routes, often at the expense of exploited labor in colonized lands. The silver itself likely came from mines in the Americas, extracted through forced labor. The scenes embossed on its surface romanticize exotic locales which mask the brutal realities of colonial exploitation and the dehumanization of indigenous populations. As you look at this teapot, consider what stories it tells and whose stories remain hidden. Think about the complex histories embedded in everyday objects, and how they connect us to broader narratives of power, trade, and cultural exchange.