Teapot with Stand, Made for Export, circa 1800

Summary

In the 1780s, American merchants began sailing directly to Canton -- the only Chinese port open to foreign trade. Craftsmen there offered well-wrought silver in popular Western forms. Sunshing, the silversmith who created this teapot - as well as the agent who purchased it - knew American buyers would consider the piece stylish and worth their money.

In the 1780s, American merchants began sailing directly to Canton -- the only Chinese port open to foreign trade. Craftsmen there offered well-wrought silver in popular Western forms. Sunshing, the silversmith who created this teapot - as well as the agent who purchased it - knew American buyers would consider the piece stylish and worth their money.

Artifact

Teapot

Date Made

circa 1800

Creators

Sunshing 

Place of Creation

China, Canton province 

Creator Notes

Made by Sunshing in Canton, China for export.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

72.158.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Silver (Metal)
Wood (Plant material)

Inscriptions

in rectangle on bottom of teapot and teapot stand: SS

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