English teapot, c. 1785
ceramic
Norcross Collection, 1933.30
4” x 4 ½”
This teapot belonged to Eleanor Norcross (founder of the Fitchburg Art Museum) and illustrates how decorative arts objects served to subtly establish hierarchies in social settings engineered around entertainment and consumption. During the late 18th century, ornate teapots and other ceramic luxury items used while hosting guests were displayed as a projection of class aspiration. Conspicuous wealth was necessary to strengthen status and engender envy as a social currency. Though English in origin, this teapot features abstract decorations inspired by popular Chinese designs to appear as if it were imported and therefore more valuable.