Teapot

The round body of the vessel becomes more decorative thanks to the picturesque chasing, which causes the play of lights and shadows on the “moving” surface, and the vertical ribbing adds lightness. The goldsmith also took care of the comfort of users by equipping the teapot with a bone ear, which looks elegant and protects from burns, as it does not get heated by the hot tea inside.

The teapot was created by Karol Malcz, the most eminent nineteenth-century Warsaw goldsmith. Born in 1797, he was the grandson of Jerzy Bandau I, also a famous goldsmith, and it is likely that he began his apprenticeship with him. In 1828 he established his own company, which was developing very well and in 1841 already employed about fifty workers. Constantly expanded and modernized, it existed until World War II. During his forty years of hard work Karol Malcz built the biggest silverware factory in Poland at that time. Until his death in 1867 he not only managed it, but also designed products, and personally carried out important orders. He expressed the spirit of the epoch, as he created products of great variety of forms, presenting features of different styles: Baroque, Rococo, Classicism, and even some oriental influences can be noticed. Due to the volume of production, Malcz silver is often found both in museum collections and in private collections. Tableware and cutlery dominate, but Malcz also produced sacred dishes and utensils, as well as luxurious utilitarian objects, such as writing instruments.

Barbara Czajkowska