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Object Timeline

1938

  • Work on this object began.

2016

2025

  • You found it!

Teapot

This is a teapot. It was designed by Paul Schreckengost and manufactured by Gem Clay Forming Company. It is dated 1938 and we acquired it in 2016. Its medium is molded and glazed earthenware trimmed in platinum. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

Paul Schreckengost was the designer for Gem Clay Forming Co. from the 1920s until 1976. HIs teapot demonstrates the transition from art deco to streamlined design in the 1930s. The art deco language highlights elements that are also found in streamline: silver-colored accents to signify industrial materials and horizontal banding used to reinforce an aerodynamic feeling. Schreckengost’s teapot holds an important place in the world of streamline design, and was given as a Christmas gift to Gem Clay’s best customers.

This object was donated by George R. Kravis II. It is credited Gift of George R. Kravis II.

  • Teapot (Germany)
  • glazed proto-porcelain.
  • Gift of Victor Wiener.
  • 2001-28-31-a,b
  •
  • Dinette Teapot
  • cast pewter, ebonized wood.
  • Gift of Marilyn Friedman.
  • 2013-57-1

Our curators have highlighted 5 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

  • Drop Teapot And Lid
  • molded and glazed porcelain.
  • Gift of Rosenthal Glas und Porzellan AG.
  • 1985-3-9-a,b
  •
  • Teapot (Japan)
  • H x W x D: 21 x 10.5 x 12 cm (8 1/4 x 4 1/8 x 4 3/4 in.).
  • Gift of David Revere McFadden.
  • 1997-68-1-a,b

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 18 × 27 × 9 cm (7 1/16 × 10 5/8 × 3 9/16 in.)

Cite this object as

Teapot; Designed by Paul Schreckengost (American, 1908 - 1983); Manufactured by Gem Clay Forming Company; molded and glazed earthenware trimmed in platinum; H x W x D: 18 × 27 × 9 cm (7 1/16 × 10 5/8 × 3 9/16 in.); Gift of George R. Kravis II; 2016-39-1-a,b

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Energizing the Everyday: Gifts From the George R. Kravis II Collection.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/420556893/ |title=Teapot |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=13 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>