Object Description
French silver-plated teapot with camel design
French, 20th Century
Height 14cm, width 27cm, depth 12cm
Produced by the much-esteemed Parisian tea company Mariage Frères, this delightful teapot, titled ‘Karawan’, is a fine example of creative design combined with quality craftsmanship.
This creation depicts a charming scene—a man securing a pack onto a seated camel’s hump. Crafted from silver plate, the teapot ingeniously incorporates the camel’s anatomy and the man’s form into its functional elements. The camel’s neck serves as the spout, while the man’s body morphs into the handle. The camel’s hump is reimagined as a hinged lid, crowned with a rope-styled handle.
Every detail, from the camel’s hair texture to the man’s clothing, is captured in finely etched engravings, reflecting a masterful attention to detail.
The design can first be found in an earthenware model from around 1875, produced by the firm Moore Brothers. This particular piece can be admired at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
This teapot embodies the renewed fascination with Oriental themes and motifs in Europe in the 1870s, reflecting curious Western perceptions of the Middle East. The teapot’s charm resonated well with clients interested in Orientalism, making it a favoured item. With its playful and captivating design, this teapot brings fun and charm to every tea party.