Friday, March 26, 2010

Museums and teapot pins

It's been a while since I've shared any of my tea jewelry, so today I wanted to show my newest "museum pin," by which I mean not a museum-worthy piece but simply a piece that was, I believe, once sold by a museum gift shop. It's the gold pin at left (2 x 1-3/4 inches), which is said to be inspired by a teapot in the collection of the Worcester Art Museum. The sterling silver pin at right (1-1/2 x 1 inch) is from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and though I got mine for about $10 on eBay, one just like it recently sold there for $39, so I'm glad I found mine early!

I purchased both these pins on eBay, actually, and a card that came with the gold pin says it was made by "Museums by Procreations, Antrim, New Hampshire." The card says this: "WAM Teapot - This replica was inspired by a piece in a silver tea service that is in the permanent collection of the Worcester Art Museum. Crafted by an unknown maker, c. 1810, the oblong body, topped by a scaled and floral border, rests on a splayed foot stamped with a band of roses; cast paw feet are at each corner. The carved wooden handle sockets are in the form of cornucopias and the curved spout ends in an eagle's neck and beak. The original is engraved in script: 'Given by Joseph Henhaw Esq. to Joseph Allen.'" There is a Worcester Art Museum in Worcester, Mass., so I'm guessing it's that museum that has the actual teapot. (Wouldn't you love to see that teapot!)

I have a third teapot pin from a museum, which I wrote about here, but I didn't mention at the time that it came from the Cummer Museum in Jacksonville, Fla., or at least that's my best guess since it came in a Cummer Museum gift box. I once wrote to the museum to see if they could tell me anything about the pin, but it has apparently been so long since this was sold there that there is no longer a record of it. Do you have any pins, tea-themed or otherwise, you purchased at a museum?

10 comments:

  1. The teapot pins are lovely. Judging by the replica and card, I imagine the original Worcester museum teapot is magnificent and I would love to see it.

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  2. I used to work at a museum in Virginia that had a fabulous gift shop that carried all sorts of tea themed items and tea wares. The only jewelry that I have is a pendant that was made from a piece of the museum's china.

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  3. What interesting info on those pins. I've never seen or knoew of museum pins. The silver one is nice, but the gold one well, it's beautiful. Such detail on such a small piece. They truly are treasures.

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  4. What an interesting collection. I don't think I have noticed tea pins in museums. Now I will have to look. I do have a teacup I bought at Kensington Palace gift shop, but that is it.

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  5. Angela these pins are great! I'm always on the lookout for more. I've seen some pretty cooky ones, they're fun!

    Hey thanks for our recent comments over at my place, I'm glad that you're liking the 35 squares project, it's been a fun project. Your comments on my Vespa cracked me up! I got a good laugh out of that one, haha...


    Have a great weekend!!
    Lisa

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  6. Your museum teapot pins are beautiful. I'll keep my eye out for lovely pins like yours.

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  7. Those are very cool! Thanks for sharing them.

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  8. I have a small collection of teapot pins. My favorite is one simialr to your silver one that I wear on a black coat. It always elicits comments and I have met so many other tea lovers as a result.
    Thanks for sharing part of your collection.

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  9. I have a small collection of teapot pins. My favorite is one simialr to your silver one that I wear on a black coat. It always elicits comments and I have met so many other tea lovers as a result.
    Thanks for sharing part of your collection.

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  10. I bought a teapot pin at the Harney & sons gift shop back when they were in Connecticut. It is similar to your silver one. I enjoyed hearing about your collection and seeing photos.

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