Coffee or Chocolate Pot

Although the red stoneware body of this coffee pot was inspired by Chinese Yixing wares, the form was derived from an English silver example. The raised decorations were made in small molds and applied, or "sprigged," onto the surface.

With the first coffee house opening in London in 1652 and the first chocolate house in 1657, England began to enjoy these two exotic beverages. An Arab monopoly on coffee had kept the prices high until the Dutch East India Company began importation early in the 17th century, while Spain kept a monopoly on chocolate brought from the New World. Even though they had become more plentiful and accessible, both remained costly beverages of the upper and middle classes. The English added milk and sugar to both beverages and drank them hot. Vessels for the beverages were made in a variety of ceramic types with the spouts of chocolate pots being shorter, straight and often without an interior filter, as the consumer drank the ground chocolate. Frequently chocolate pot handles are at a right angle to the spout, but this can be true of coffee pots as well.