Images(7)

Teapot

Dateca. 1760

Maker William Ball (1729 - 1810)

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumSilver and wood

DimensionsHeight: 5 7/8"; Width across body & handle: 8 7/8"; Diameter: 4 5/8"; Diameter at base: 2 15/16"; Total weight: 19 oz. 3 dwt.

Credit LineBequest of Joseph H. and June S. Hennage

Object number2020-267

DescriptionInverted pear-shaped teapot with a stepped circular foot and a domed lid with baluster-shaped finial. Its S-shaped spout is reinforced by a scrolled shell below and a scrolled cap atop the mouth. Scrolled sockets secure its C-shaped wooden handle topped by a scrolled thumbpiece. The shoulder of teapot engraved with scrolls, shells, and flowers, and the center of the left side of the body carries the addorsed cypher "G P," engraved in foliate script.
Label TextDating to the last years of the French & Indian War, this "inverted-pear shaped" teapot was originally owned by Grace Peel of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was acquired before her first marriage in 1762. It may be the only surviving teapot of this form by William Ball, a respected Philadelphia merchant, silversmith, and pewterer.

Grace Peel's first husband, William Dowell, died in 1768, leaving her a wealthy woman. She then married William Parr, also of Lancaster, a tavern owner and one-time sheriff of Philadelphia who became a lawyer and burgess. Dying childless in 1814, Grace left her silver, including this teapot, to her grandniece and namesake, Grace Parr Hubley. Also childless, Ms. Hubley died tragically of severe burns in 1861, and the silver passed down into the Field family, eventually descending to Lydia Field Emmet (1866-1952), the noted portraitist. After more than two centuries, Grace Peel's teapot was sold out of the family in 1980.

Benjamin West's ca.1757-58 portrait of Grace Peel as a teenager is now in the collection of the Winterthur Museum.
InscribedBottom heavy-handedly engraved "G • PEEL" and scratched with a weight figure of "18 oz : 11 dt" along with "18 I."
MarkingsBottom struck above and below the center point with "W • Ball" in relief within a rounded rectangle.
ProvenanceOriginally owned by Grace Peel Parr (c.1740-1814) of Lancaster, and left to her grandniece and namesake Grace Parr Hubley (1786-1861). From thence to Rosina Hubley Emmet (1792-1849), to her son William Jenkins Emmet (1826-1905), to his daughter Lydia Field Emmet (1866-1952), and by decent to Mr. & Mrs. William H. Potter of Alexandria, VA (as of 1956).

Sold by Sotheby Parke-Bernet (New York) on November 19, 1980, lot 190. Purchased from S.J. Shrubsole (New York), September 1, 1982.