Three-legged sailor souvenir teapot
Date made: late 19th century
Maker: unknown
Description: This teapot was made by one of the Staffordshire Majolica manufacturers, possibly Joseph Holdcroft or William Brownfield. It was produced as a novelty tourist souvenir for retail on the Isle of Man. This example was sold by Broughton of 50 Duke Street, Douglas.
The teapot takes the form of a sailor sitting on a coil of rope holding up a furled ensign, which looks rather like an umbrella! The sailor has three legs, his third leg behind him forms the spout, and the head forms the lid.
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: 1955-0139
Subject tags : #MM100COLLECTIONS