Teapot with Aurora riding in her chariot 1770 - 1782

This creamware teapot, crafted by William Greatbach around 1775, presents us with Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn, riding her chariot. Winged steeds pull her forward as she brings light to the world, symbolized by the radiant halo encircling her head. The image of Aurora in her chariot is not isolated; it echoes across time and cultures. Consider the Greek Eos, Aurora’s counterpart, also depicted bringing forth the dawn. This motif can be seen in ancient frescoes and sculptures, each reiteration carrying the hopes for renewal, rebirth, and the triumph over darkness. The winged horses evoke a sense of vital energy. They appear in various mythologies, often representing untamed, powerful forces. Here, they are harnessed to Aurora’s chariot, suggesting the harnessing of primal energy. This teapot thus becomes more than a mere object; it is a vessel carrying cultural memory. The symbols of dawn, light, and the powerful, winged steeds resonate with our collective subconscious. The emotional impact of such imagery lies in its capacity to tap into deeply rooted human experiences of hope, fear, and the eternal cycle of light overcoming darkness.