Handleless Ceramic Teapot (Houhin Style) with Mustard Spiral

A small handleless teapot in a warm, glossy cream glaze, with a rounded belly, a flared collar and a short side spout. Its fitted lid has a little nub knob. A fine mustard spiral is painted on one side, and it appears to share the same motif as our small spiral jug, so the two make a sweet pairing. It sits comfortably in the palm and holds just enough for one or two small cups. It is most likely made in the style of the Japanese houhin. The glaze is in good condition, and the lid fits snugly.

The houhin is a handleless pot that is held directly in the fingers, with the body resting against the palm, so it can be poured gracefully with one hand. Houhin usually hold only about 80–160 ml and are favoured for fine Japanese green teas like sencha and gyokuro, which are brewed in small amounts at lower temperatures. Nineteenth-century houhin from the pottery towns of Tokoname and Banko survive in Japanese museum collections today.