Paris porcelain teapot illustrated with a ballooning scene, late 18th century

A white and gold porcelain teapot from the Penn-Gaskell collection of 'ballooniana'. Public balloon ascents began to be held in pleasure gardens after the first successful balloon trips in Paris in 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.