Samuel Kirk
Teapot
1821-1827
Physical Qualities
Silver, glass, 8 3/8 × 6 1/2 × 10 1/2 in. (21.3 × 16.5 × 26.7 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Michael and Anis Merson, Baltimore
Object Number
2007.306
With its angular form and curious raised foot, this unusual teapot looks rather like an inflated version of a small Chinese red clay Yixing teapot presented on floating lotus leaves. A relatively early version of the Baltimore repoussé style, the teapot is marked with Baltimore assay marks, including the letter F which was used on pieces made in 1822 and 1828. Later in the century, the popularity of repoussé led Tiffany & Company, by then the nation’s leading silversmith, to imitate it, as is evident in the ice bowl also on view here.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 2006; Michael and Anis Merson, Baltimore, MD
Inscribed: None
Markings: Marks on underside of belly: Dominical letter F twice, quartered oval with + in upper left and lower right quadrants - seems to descend from Baltimore assayers mark Kirk or S Kirk in cartouche one struck over the other SK and -OZ in square cartouches Configuration of marks together looks like possibly 1828 date. F dominical letter also used in 1822.
On View at the BMA
