HATmaking

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WICKERY HANDLES

This porcelain teapot was made in China, c.1750-1770, where it was decorated with flowers and leaves in blue under glaze. Apparently, soon after it was exported to the Netherlands, with simple blue and white decoration fell out of favour, and more colourful designs were the new trend. To satisfy the demand, it seems that this teapot was overpainted in red, green, black, and gold enamels. Amsterdams Bont (colourful Amsterdam work) is the term used to describe this form of decoration. Ceramics overpainted in England are referred to as being clobbered. This teapot measures 4.75 inches high, 6.5 inches from handle to spout.

This teapot has an woven wickery replacement handle and straps and apparently there are few entirely woven repairs/replacements around. This one was most likely done by a basket maker rather than a tinker or a  jeweller. However, some European silversmiths used wickery handles over silver to insulate the handle. 

This teapot was most likely repaired in an urban city where silversmiths produced this class of work that typically used woven rattan cane for insulation. Such ‘wickery makers’ would have worked in close association with a network producers in various fields in both Europe and North America.

Somewhat curiously, wherever this ‘handling’ appears to take place it seems that ‘rattan cane’ is the material used.

Wickery handles in similar contexts