Collection Online
Covered chocolate pot
Medium
porcelain (hard-paste)
Measurements
16.2 × 23.0 × 11.5 cm (overall)
Accession Number
2024.488.a-b
Department
International Decorative Arts
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Patricia Begg OAM Bequest, 2024
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work

Chocolate pots often took the same form as coffee pots during the eighteenth century but are distinguished by their removable or swivelling finial, which allows a stirrer to be inserted to froth up the chocolate tablet in the hot milk or water. The use of wood, ivory or leather and cane wrapped around the handle provided insulation from the hot vessel. During the eighteenth century the handle of coffee and chocolate pots was often moved to the side, at right angles to the pot, for greater ease of pouring.