Witty Wilde Teapot Set to Brew Up Thousands at Plymouth Auction
A rare and highly collectible satirical teapot, famously linked to Oscar Wilde and the Aesthetic Movement, is set to go under the hammer at Plymouth Auction Rooms this November, and is expected to attract international interest from collectors and institutions.
Known as the "Aesthetic Teapot" or "Oscar Wilde Teapot", the piece was designed by James Hadley in 1882 for the Royal Worcester Porcelain Company, and is celebrated as a clever and beautifully crafted example of Victorian satire.
The teapot features two characters from Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta "Patience", the flamboyant poet Reginald Bunthorne, a thinly veiled caricature of Wilde himself, and the milkmaid Patience. On its base is a wonderfully satirical inscription:
"Fearful Consequences Through the Laws of Natural Selection & Evolution of Living Up to One's Teapot."
This humorous message fuses Darwinian theory with Wilde’s own self-deprecating remark about the burden of living up to one’s aesthetic ideals — a nod to his passion for collecting beautiful things, particularly fine china.
The piece was created to parody the Aesthetic Movement’s devotion to beauty and “art for art’s sake,” making it both a cultural commentary and a work of art in its own right.
Auctioneer Paul Keen of Plymouth Auction Rooms commented: "It’s a remarkable and witty object — full of character, satire, and historical context. We're delighted to bring such a rare piece to market, and we anticipate strong interest from collectors worldwide."
The teapot was recently discovered in a cottage in Looe, Cornwall, and is being offered as part of the Tony Martin Collection (Part III). It will be auctioned on Wednesday 5th November at Plymouth Auction Rooms. Similar examples can be found in prestigious institutions such as the National Museum of Scotland and the Art Institute of Chicago, highlighting its significance in both artistic and cultural history!
