‘No Stamp Act’ teapot
Theme: American revolution
In the 1700s, a large area of North America was controlled and governed by Britain. In 1765, the British government changed the tax rules for the people living in these American colonies. Large numbers of colonial Americans refused to pay these taxes, complaining they had no representation in the British Parliament and therefore no say over decisions made about their lives. A period of unrest followed which escalated into the American Revolution and the birth of the USA.
The Stamp Act, which was the first tax to be applied specifically to the colonists, was passed in 1765. It imposed a duty on every printed document, in the form of a stamp. Such was the furore stirred up by the Stamp Act that the British government was forced to back down and the act was repealed in 1766. But further acts were soon passed, imposing taxes on a range of commodities.
In 1773, a new tax was imposed on tea. In protest, a group of colonists boarded British ships arriving in Boston Harbour, and dumped a cargo of tea (worth nearly $1 million in today’s money) into the water. The British reacted harshly and events soon escalated. The protest became known as the ‘Boston Tea Party’, a catalyst for the American War of Independence and a pivotal event in the history of what is now the USA.
This creamware teapot dates from the period of unrest between the end of the Stamp Act and the start of the American War of Independence. It was made in England for the American domestic market. The slogans on each side: No Stamp Act and America Liberty Restored would have been a clear indication of the owner’s support for an end to British colonial rule, to anyone drinking tea with them.
Did you know..?
Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the USA famously said ‘In this world, nothing can be certain except death and taxes.’
Use our Classroom resources to investigate this object and the American Revolution further.
Highlights:
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Sources & acknowledgements
This object description and its related educational resources were researched and written by our team of historians and education specialists. For further information see the item’s home museum, gallery or archive, listed above.
- Related resources
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Did you know..?
Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the USA famously said ‘In this world, nothing can be certain except death and taxes.’
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Education overview
You can access a range of teachers resources related to this object and more on our education page.
Please also see our glossary of terms for more detailed explanations of the terms used.
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Curatorial info
- Originating Museum: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Production Date: 1766 - 75
- Creator: Unknown
- Creation Place: Staffordshire, England
- Original record
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Use this image
- Rights Holder: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- License Type:
Public Domain