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Staffordshire Pearlware Teapot by Ralph Wedgwood, Circa 1795

About the Item

"Terra Tersia": A Staffordshire Pearlware Agate Surface Teapot with Gilding English, Circa 1795 This rare and sophisticated Staffordshire pearlware teapot and cover, dating to the late 18th century (circa 1795), is a highly decorative vessel designed to simulate the appearance of expensive semi-precious stone. The cylindrical body and cover are expertly overlaid with a veneer of marbled colored clays—brown, reddish-brown, and white—creating a granular, variegated effect known historically as "Terra Tersia," "granite," or "mosaic" ware. This mottled surface contrasts sharply with the plain white pearlware of the short, angled spout, loop handle, and the central reeded band. The shoulder is encircled by a striking molded band of repeating oval panels, each centering a sun or star motif highlighted in bright gold gilding, while the cover is surmounted by a finely molded acorn finial, a fashionable naturalistic motif of the period. Dimensions 8 inches (20.32 cm) Wide 4 3/4 inches (12.07 cm) High 4 1/8 inches (10.44 cm) Deep Condition Report The teapot is in good antique condition, commensurate with its age and material. Provenance The Collection of Jonathan Rickard. Historical Context This teapot represents a specific moment of innovation in Staffordshire, where potters bridged the gap between the naturalism of the Rococo—seen in the agate surface and acorn finial—and the symmetry of the emerging Neoclassical style, evidenced by the squat oval form and sunburst molding. The term "Terra Tersia" is a rare historical descriptor found in a 1794 auction notice for Ralph Wedgwood’s London warehouse, suggesting this distinct surface technique was likely produced by manufacturers connected to the Wedgwood or Wood families. A similar marked piece exists with the impress of R. A. Wood of Burslem. This specific terminology and the attribution to R. A. Wood are discussed in Jonathan Rickard’s authoritative work, Mocha and Related Dipped Wares, 1770–1939 (2006). (Ref: NY10294-lcmx)
  • Attributed to:
    Wedgwood (Designer)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 4.75 in (12.07 cm)Width: 8 in (20.32 cm)Depth: 4.13 in (10.5 cm)
  • Style:
    Georgian (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Ceramic,Pearlware,Pottery
  • Period:
    Late 18th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1795
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Downingtown, PA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: NY10294-lcm1stDibs: LU861034148782