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On seeing the Paisley and two-headed snake design my first thought was Persian, although anywhere in south-east Asia seems likely. I agree with Adam - although intricate the design is a little clunky, and the teapot was probably made for tourists.
 
Material: Some kind of silver or copper alloy seems likely. Unfortunately I don't think it's priceless gold ( which wouldn't make a good hot water container) like the Persia drinking cup in the Metro this week.
 
As for date, according to wiki (!) the oldest surviving teapot is 1513, and if we accept this one isn't from China then it must be 1600 onwards. My guess is 1800s or early 1900s - it seems in good condition so probably hasn't been excavated. Has it been in the enquirers family?
 
It might be worth sending this query on to the Islamic departments at the BM and V&A.
 
Best wishes,
 
Ali

Ali Wells
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-----Original Message-----
From: Social History Curators Group email list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Adam Bell
Sent: 29 May 2008 12:02
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [SHCG-LIST] Exotic teapot!

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How interesting.  Looks quite beautiful, but in a way, also quite crude.  Looks like the sort of thing one might bring back from a holiday to somewhere like India?  The sort of oddity that tourists just can’t resist, sending their bank balance into the minus figures as a result of the excess baggage costs hehe

Then again, maybe it’s priceless?!  Did anyone see the article in yesterday’s (I think) Metro newspaper, about the man who recently discovered a strange two-headed vessel his father (or was it grandfather) had picked up decades ago (the relative was a rag and bone man) was actually solid gold, ancient and worth about half a million!

Adam

Adam Bell
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History 
Tyne & Wear Museums
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From: Social History Curators Group email list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Katherine White
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2008 11:51 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [SHCG-LIST] Exotic teapot!

Dear All,

I’m hoping someone can help with the provenance of this teapot, brought in by a keen member of the public. It’s definitely not a local object but was greatly valued by its owner who only left it with us just long enough for these photos to be taken. They thought (hoped) it might be silver and of some antiquity. I thought (feared) it might be brass and recent.

It is entirely metal, quite weighty for its size (roughly 14cm round the belly of the pot) and despite the fancy ornamentation, the applied parts have been rather crudely soldered on. The outside looks black although the photo shows it as green; I remember thinking the item may actually look more green in natural light whilst artificial light makes it appear black. The inside of the lid is really bright, as if freshly polished. I’m fairly certain the handle is a snake and the rest of the decoration is foliage.

Any ideas? I think the owner would be happy to know which part of the world it comes from and whether or not it is a treasure. Some professional support would be most welcome!

Thanks,

Katherine

Katherine White BA (Hons.) PGCE AMA

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Trowbridge Museum

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