Teapot
Nathaniel Hurd (American, 1730–1778)
c. 1755–60
Medium
Silver, Wood
Dimensions
14.5 × 24.4 cm
Classification
Silver
Department
Decorative Art and Design
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Hollis French
Accession Number
1940.228
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
male
About this artwork
This teapot not only demonstrates Hurd's mastery of the art of forging silver, but of engraving it as well. The design for the coat of arms of the Gibbs family incised on this teapot was probably taken from Guillim's Display of Heraldry, published in 1724. In Hurd's portrait by Copley the words "Display of Heraldry/J. Guillim" are visible on the spine of the large book shown at the sitter's elbow.