Coffee pot

1795-1820

Measurements

11-1/2 in x 9-1/2 in x 5-5/8 in (dia)

Materials

Transfer-printed glazed white earthenware (pearlware)

Credit Line

Anonymous loan to the Historic Odessa Foundation

Accession Number

2011.18

Condition Notes

The pot has a stress crack across the bottom.  The end of the spout has a chip.

Provenance

A note of H. Rodney Sharp accompanying the coffee pot reads, “Judge Henry C Conrad - / who was a good friend of / my mother & father / presented this to me.”

Comments

This large, baluster-shaped coffee pot with a domed lid and ovoid finial is transfer-printed in shades of cobalt blue.  The designs, on two levels below decoration around the rim, shows Western interpretations of Chinese buildings, railings, trees and plants, and people.  The glaze is blue-tinted (called "pearlware") to shift the color of the ceramic "creamware" body from a warm white to a much cooler white in imitation of Chinese porcelains.  The glaze can be seen pooling on the underside of the bottom (see image).

Judge Henry C Conrad (1852-1930), one-time owner of the coffee pot, lived in Georgetown, Delaware, served as resident judge of Sussex County for the Delaware Supreme Court.  He also was author of many books about Delaware.  Sharp was born in Seaford, west of Georgetown, and moved as a youngster to Lewes, east of Georgetown.