Description: Chinese export porcelain conical coffeepot and cover with an acorn knop with nuts and leaves, straight up-turned spout, and intertwined ribbed strap handle with foliate terminals, which is decorated in blue and gilt, and the initials "H.M.B." in an oval cartouche on the side. According to Dr. C.J.A. Jorg: "Coffee was introduced into Europe around 1670. Soon it became popular as a drink and coffee houses came into existence in all big cities. For teapots the Chinese provided the basic shape, but for coffee pots a new form was devised. The conical type is the oldest, the handle being placed either opposite the spout or at an angle, as on this piece. The pear-shaped pot after German porcelain became fashionable in Chinese export porcelain around 1760. Coffee pots were ordered and bought separately in China, but also formed an indispensable part of large tea, coffee and chocolate services."
Link to share this object record: https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+1957 |