Chocolate pot

Coffee Pot, formed in a press mold, with tall lobed body, ornate handle, and spout; lid with deep edge.

Glaze: transparent, colorless, on inside, base, and inside of lid.
Decoration: in overglaze enamel; base of matte chocolate brown, with designs painted and trailed using enamels that stand out in high relief; within cartouche, identical scenes of Chinese scholar and attendants on both sides, surrounded by ornate floral scrolls, in red, pink, yellow, turquoise, cobalt, pale green, dark green, and white.

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Historical period(s)
Meiji era, ca. 1904
Medium
Porcelain with clear glaze and overglaze enamels
Style
Satsuma-style ware
Dimensions
H x W x D: 24.6 x 17.3 x 11.3 cm (9 11/16 x 6 13/16 x 4 7/16 in)
Geography
Japan, Yokohama
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Lucile Seaman Lamey in memory of her parents, Professor and Mrs. A.E. Seaman
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1997.7a-b
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Ceramic, Vessel
Type

Chocolate pot

Keywords
flower, Japan, Meiji era (1868 - 1912), porcelain, Satsuma ware
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Coffee Pot, formed in a press mold, with tall lobed body, ornate handle, and spout; lid with deep edge.

Glaze: transparent, colorless, on inside, base, and inside of lid.
Decoration: in overglaze enamel; base of matte chocolate brown, with designs painted and trailed using enamels that stand out in high relief; within cartouche, identical scenes of Chinese scholar and attendants on both sides, surrounded by ornate floral scrolls, in red, pink, yellow, turquoise, cobalt, pale green, dark green, and white.

Published References
  • Jess Righthand. A Brief History of the Chocolate Pot: How humans have consumed chocolate sheds lights on its significance to cultures and eras. Washington, February 13, 2015. .
Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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