Food Feature: Unexpected collection
Nightlight teapots light up tiny Tennessee town
Where can you attend a Rotary Club meeting, pay a parking ticket, and visit the world’s largest single collection of antique porcelain teapots? a) Paris b) New York City c) Brussels d) Trenton, Tenn.
If your final answer was d, you’re right. This western Tennessee town with a population of about 5,000 is home to 525 porcelain night-light teapots, known as veilleuse-theiéres. Most were created by European ceramists between 1750 and 1860.
The collection is the generous gift of native son Dr. Frederick C. Freed. Born in Trenton in 1889, Freed maintained a medical practice in New York City for over 40 years. An avid world traveler, he collected nightlight teapots on his trips. His private collection — culled from Europe, Africa and the Far East over a 35-year period — numbered 650.
The earliest veilleuses were made as food warmers with a bowl instead of a teapot on the stand. They were used for porridge, soup or drinks in sickrooms and hospitals. Later the teapot replaced the bowl. It was filled with either oil with a wick or a candle. The contents of the pot, which was usually tea or medicine was heated in this manner. The teapots also made a soothing nightlight in the sickroom or nursery because of the pleasing soft light effect that comes from translucent porcelain.
Around 1830, wealthy French families had ever more decorative and ornate veilleuse-theiéres made for their use. Some were in the shapes of people or animals while others had insignias or family crests.
A booklet titled “Rare Porcelain Veilleuses Collection,” which is available at the museum for $7, contains an annotation on each piece. It reports that Frederick Freed’s brother, Sylvane Freed, asked what he planned to do with his collection. When Dr. Freed explained that he would probably give his collection to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, his brother asked if he had ever thought of giving it to his hometown. “No,” replied Frederick Freed, “but I like the idea.”
In 1955, Dr. Freed prepared the first shipment. The teapots were donated over a period of years until Trenton’s collection numbered 525. Today these priceless treasures provide a stark contrast to well-used folding tables and chairs also in the City Council chambers. The public is welcome to view the veilleuse-theiéres collection for free at any time — unless a City Council meeting is going on.
Trenton City Hall, 309 College St., Trenton, Tenn. City Hall is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays. Visitors at other times can ask for the key at the fire station next door. Visit in May for the annual week-long Teapot Festival. For more information, call 731-855-2013 or visit www.teapotcollection.com.