Tea-pot, ceramic, in white and gold, with floral decoration, on one side a balloon with inscription: 'Sic itur ad Astra'; on the other side: 'Bon Voyage', unsigned, European, 1780-1810

One tea-pot in white and gold. 3 1/2' high.Floral decoration.On one side a balloon with inscription: 'Sic itur ad Astra'; on the other side: 'Bon Voyage'.This white and gold teapot taken from the Penn-Gaskell collection of 'ballooniana'. Public balloon ascents began to be held in pleasure gardens after the first successful balloon ascents in Paris during 1783. These events attracted huge crowds and led to an explosion of ballooniana, or balloon art, expressed in paintings, prints and decorated ceramics as well as many other forms.