Loading
Teapot
Nathaniel Hurdc. 1755–60
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States
This teapot not only demonstrates Hurd's mastery of the art of forging silver, but of engraving it as well. The design for the coat of arms of the Gibbs family incised on this teapot was probably taken from Guillim's Display of Heraldry, published in 1724. In Hurd's portrait by Copley the words "Display of Heraldry/J. Guillim" are visible on the spine of the large book shown at the sitter's elbow.
Show lessRead more
Download this artwork (provided by The Cleveland Museum of Art).
Learn more about this artwork.
Details
- Title: Teapot
- Creator: Nathaniel Hurd (American, 1730–1778)
- Date Created: c. 1755–60
- Physical Dimensions: with handle: 14.5 x 24.4 cm (5 11/16 x 9 5/8 in.)
- Provenance: Hollis French, Annisquam, MA.
- Type: Silver
- Rights: CC0
- External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1940.228
- Medium: silver
- Inscriptions: engraved: coat of arms of Gibbs on side.
- Fun Fact: The master silversmith Nathaniel Hurd, whose portrait hangs nearby, made this teapot engraved with the crest of the family that commissioned it. Tea was a precious commodity in Colonial America and this silver piece would have held a place of honor at the owner's tea table.
- Department: Decorative Art and Design
- Culture: America, 18th century
- Credit Line: Gift of Hollis French
- Collection: Decorative Arts
- Accession Number: 1940.228
Get the app
Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more
