Three-legged Hunter souvenir teapot
Date made: mid 19th century
Description: Isle of Man 3-legged souvenir teapot. 'Staffordshire Majolica'. Man astride a tree trunk. This is the least common version of three types made in 'Staffordshire Majolica' (the commonest are a sailor with ensign and a sailor with rope).
Made in Staffordshire, possibly Caulfield, c.1840-80. Sailor types were made for Broughton's china shop but the vendor of this is unknown. Only two or three examples are known of this type of Staffordshire Majolica. The teapot had been in the possession of a Manx family living near Wolverhampton since 1915 when it was taken to England.
This item is typical of the way that the Manx triskele emblem of three legs found its way into all sorts of designs in the 19th century. It was evidently considered humorous in its own right for men to have three legs. This holiday souvenir would have been both decorative and practical. It would have looked well enough on a mantlepiece or window sill, or could have been used to serve tea.
Materials: ceramic
Object name: teapot
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 1987-0672
Subject tags : #MM100COLLECTIONS