Jonathan Clarke
Teapot

CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Teapot
Datec. 1745–1766
Possible placeProvidence, Rhode Island, United States
Possible placeNewport, Rhode Island, United States
MediumSilver
Dimensions5 1/2 × 5 1/16 × 9 7/8 in. (14 × 12.9 × 25.1 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Miss Ima Hogg
Object numberB.69.117
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Metals Study Room
On view

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
Description

This rotund teapot is one of a small group unique to Jonathan Clarke’s Newport shop. They are characterized by ovoid bodies rather than the more conventional spherical, apple, and pear shapes preferred in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. Another unusual aspect is the high, splayed foot, a component usually identified with later inverted pear-shaped Rococo examples. A number of Edinburgh and Glasgow silversmiths produced teapots similar to Clarke's between 1720 and 1750, although at this time it is not known whether an actual relationship exists between the Clarke and Scottish teapots or if their similarities are coincidental.

Related examples:  Gourley 1965. nos. 39, 40.

Technical notes: The wooden handle may be original. The lid is vented, its finial secured by a nut and bolt.

Book excerpt: David B. Warren, Michael K. Brown, Elizabeth Ann Coleman, and Emily Ballew Neff.  American Decorative Arts and Paintings in the Bayou Bend Collection. Houston: Princeton Univ. Press, 1998.


ProvenanceThomas and Mary Helm, Newport; [Robert Ensko, New York]; purchased by Miss Ima Hogg, 1953; given to MFAH, 1969.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Engraved on side: A cartouche lacking a crest, suggesting it never framed a coat-of-arms and instead may have had an atypical treatment, such as the owner's initials
Engraved on base: TH[H superscript]M
Engraved on shoulder: an elaborate border of masks, shells, leaves, and related baroque motifs
On base: mark of Jonathan Clarke [Flynt and Fales 1968, p. 184, bottom mark]

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Tablespoon
Jonathan Clarke
c. 1750
Silver
B.73.14
same image for entire set of spoons.  Not sure which individual object is pictured.
Henry Clarke
c. 1715–1716
Sterling silver
B.82.27.3
same image for entire set of spoons.  Not sure which individual object is pictured.
Henry Clarke
c. 1715–1716
Sterling silver
B.82.27.2
Sacred to the Memory of the Illustrious G. Washington
Thomas Clarke
1801
Stipple engraving on laid paper
B.2005.8
Teapot Stand
Jonathan Hayne
1786–1787
Silver
96.1606
Doric Capital, British Museum, London
Clarke & Davies, London
no date
Albumen silver print
87.403
Pericles, British Museum, London
Clarke & Davies, London
no date
Albumen silver print
87.404
Architectural Detail, British Museum, London
Clarke & Davies, London
no date
Albumen silver print
87.406
Riders in the Sky
Kevin Clarke
1983
Chromogenic print
2003.733
Immigration & Passport Photos, San Antonio, Texas
D. Clarke Evans
1999, printed 2006
Chromogenic print
2006.1112
Silo Restaurant, San Antonio, Texas
D. Clarke Evans
2003
Chromogenic print
2006.1113
Pair of Sleeve Buttons
Jonathan Otis
c. 1744–1775
Gold
B.88.23.1,.2