Teapot, anonymous, c. 1695 - c. 1715
The drinking of coffee and tea became fashionable at the end of the 17th century. The wares needed to serve these beverages often featured suitably exotic shapes and decorations. The handle of this teapot is in the form of a bamboo twig, and the floral patterns in a limited palette of green, blue and red are derived from Asian porcelain.