Description
of squat tapered form with an ebony knop finial and double Tau handle, with a removable infuser, hallmarked Heath & Middleton, Birmingham 1895
Dimensions
14.5cm high, 26cm long
Footnote
Literature: Whiteway, Michael, "Christopher Dresser 1834-1904", Skira 2001, p 88
Dennis, Richard and Jesse, John, "Christopher Dresser 1834-1904: An exhibition arranged by Richard Dennis and John Jesse", The Fine Art Society Ltd 1978, p 134.
Note: Shortly after returning from his trip to Japan, Dresser designed a series of metalware which were almost entirely without precedent and which ensured his reputation as a proto-modernist and one of the great talents of 19th century design. His designs for the London firm of Hukin & Heath were part of this remarkable series and included designs for this teapot, with its characteristic ebony handle and simple triangular line. Originally this model was produced by the firm around 1878 as a plated spirit kettle with stand, examples of which are kept in the collections at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London; the National Museums, Liverpool and the British Museum, London.
J.T. Hukin retired in 1881 and in 1886 J.T. Heath continued the partnership with John Hartsghorne Middleton, forming the company Heath & Middleton. It is held by repute that in 1895, to celebrate the success of this model, Heath & Middleton commissioned three solid silver versions of this teapot. Each of the silversmiths kept one teapot each, with the final piece, offered here, being presented to Christopher Dresser's wife. It is thought that this piece was then passed down by descent before being gifted by the family to a friend in the 1970s.