Worcester Porcelain Factory
English, born established 1751
The main scene on this feather-molded design coffeepot depicts the bearded, plump Chinese monk Pu-Tai, who lived in China during the Tang dynasty. Regarded as one of the manifestations of Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, he is depicted on one side of the coffee pot leaning against a conical formation of rocks and sharing his thoughts with two anglicized Chinese attendants. He is also seen in the same pose on the coffee pot's cover, paired with Guanyin, another manifestation of Maitreya, who holds a lotus and symbolizes compassion.
The pot's shape and wave-like, "feather-molded" body, which represents peacock feathers, are based on silver forms from around the 1740s. The shape and mold are unique to Worcester and were first introduced around 1752-53. Although the mold is frequently found in underglaze blue-and-white, it is rarely found on pieces painted in onglaze colors, as here. The use of the gilding on this early piece is also rare. The glaze gives the creamy body a bluish-gray tint, especially where it has pooled in the crevices. The decoration which was copied from Chinese porcelain, occurs generally on teawares and leaf-shaped dishes. Feather-molded coffee pots are more commonly found than feather-molded teapots, which suggests that the coffee pots were sold individually rather than as part of tea services. Like many of the early pieces, this pot has no marks.
English, born established 1751
Coffee Pot and Cover of Feather-Molded Form
about 1758–1760
Object Type:
Ceramic
Creation Place:
Northern Europe, English, Worcestershire
Dimensions:
8 7/8 in. x 7 1/8 in. x Diam: 4 3/4 in. (22.54 cm x 18.1 cm x 12.07 cm)
Medium and Support:
Porcelain
Accession Number:
1995.0010 ab
Credit Line:
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James Lucien Loeb
Currently On View
The main scene on this feather-molded design coffeepot depicts the bearded, plump Chinese monk Pu-Tai, who lived in China during the Tang dynasty. Regarded as one of the manifestations of Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, he is depicted on one side of the coffee pot leaning against a conical formation of rocks and sharing his thoughts with two anglicized Chinese attendants. He is also seen in the same pose on the coffee pot's cover, paired with Guanyin, another manifestation of Maitreya, who holds a lotus and symbolizes compassion.
The pot's shape and wave-like, "feather-molded" body, which represents peacock feathers, are based on silver forms from around the 1740s. The shape and mold are unique to Worcester and were first introduced around 1752-53. Although the mold is frequently found in underglaze blue-and-white, it is rarely found on pieces painted in onglaze colors, as here. The use of the gilding on this early piece is also rare. The glaze gives the creamy body a bluish-gray tint, especially where it has pooled in the crevices. The decoration which was copied from Chinese porcelain, occurs generally on teawares and leaf-shaped dishes. Feather-molded coffee pots are more commonly found than feather-molded teapots, which suggests that the coffee pots were sold individually rather than as part of tea services. Like many of the early pieces, this pot has no marks.
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