19th Century Wedgwood Black Basalt Sybil Teapot - Diplomat's Collection

Details

Description

….A Museum-Quality Treasure from Anglo-American Heritage
This exceptional Wedgwood Black Basalt teapot represents one of the most coveted pieces in … Read more ….A Museum-Quality Treasure from Anglo-American Heritage
This exceptional Wedgwood Black Basalt teapot represents one of the most coveted pieces in the storied history of English ceramics. Featuring the iconic Sybil design, this rare 19th-century example comes from the distinguished collection of an American diplomat who spent decades living in Great Britain, acquiring only the finest examples of British decorative arts.
Dimensions
9.5" L × 6.5" W × 6.5" H
Condition & Craftsmanship
The teapot exhibits the characteristic matte black finish that has made Wedgwood's Black Basalt legendary for over two centuries. The exterior maintains its original unglazed surface with the deep, velvety black appearance that resembles ancient Etruscan pottery. The interior is properly glazed for functionality, following Wedgwood's traditional manufacturing methods.
The Story of Black Basalt
Perfected by Josiah Wedgwood in 1768, Black Basalt was revolutionary—a fine-grained, unglazed stoneware that could be refined to achieve remarkable detail and a surface so smooth it could be polished. Though Wedgwood marketed it as "black porcelaine" to appeal to fashionable tastes, it was in fact a superior stoneware that offered a sophisticated alternative to imported Chinese tea wares. The formula combined iron oxide, manganese, and ochre with a precise clay body, fired at high temperatures to create its signature appearance. Black Basalt became Wedgwood's most enduring creation, produced continuously from the 18th century to today.
The Sybil: Classical Prophecy in Stoneware
The Sybil motif draws from Greco-Roman mythology—the sibyls were ancient prophetesses, most famously the Cumaean Sibyl who guided Aeneas through the underworld. During the Neoclassical period, Wedgwood celebrated these mysterious female oracles in their designs, creating pieces that brought ancient wisdom and classical elegance to the British tea table. The Sybil teapot embodies the Georgian fascination with antiquity and represents Wedgwood's artistic interpretation of classical themes.
Provenance
From a distinguished private collection assembled by an American diplomat during extensive residency in Great Britain throughout the 19th century. This piece represents the cultural exchange between Britain and America during a formative period of Anglo-American relations.
Why This Piece Is Exceptional

Rare 19th-century example of the sought-after Sybil design
Impeccable provenance from a diplomatic collection
Classic matte black exterior with original glazed interior
Represents the height of Neoclassical ceramic artistry
Museum-quality condition
Investment-grade collectible

Perfect for the discerning collector of Wedgwood, English ceramics, or Neoclassical decorative arts. An extraordinary opportunity to own a piece of ceramic history with diplomatic provenance.
Authenticity guaranteed. A true treasure for the connoisseur. See less