A Remarkable 18th Century Sgraffito Red Earthenware Teapot Attributed to Pennsylvania

There are domestic red earthenware teapots from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, many of which are decorated with a black glaze, and then there is this tremendous teapot owned by Winterthur Museum in Delaware.

On multiple occasions, I have visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City - but I have never seen an American eighteenth century sgraffito decorated red earthenware teapot before. This is truly a special piece of pottery.

A few weeks ago, I toured the red earthenware and stoneware collection at Winterthur, and this is one of the objects from the tour that really spoke to me because of the rare combination of form and decoration.

This teapot is attributed to Pennsylvania, possibly the southeastern part of the state, but I don't believe the potter or potter's business has been identified. A German inscription is inscribed around the pot, just below the rim, reading, "Gott Segne euch in essen und Schrincken," which translates to something like, "God bless you in eating."

The fact that the year "1799" is inscribed beneath the handle, makes this object even more special today.

Eighteenth Century Sgraffito Red Earthenware Teapot

18th Century Sgraffito Red Earthenware Teapot, Attributed to Pennsylvania

The Year "1799" is Inscribed Beneath the Handle

Stands 5 5/8" Tall

Measures 8 5/8" Long

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Photo Courtesy: Winterthur 

Another View of the Teapot

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Photo Courtesy: Winterthur 

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