A bamboo molded handle, raised decorative floral panels, bands which imitate fretwork at the neck and lid, exotic bud form knop, and general profile all combine in this tea kettle to create Royal Worcester’s perception of Japanism in 1874.  Framed  panels on two sides of the body feature simple raised floral and leaf studies. Additional un-framed floral sprays and a series of round Japanese crests or mons are placed artistically across the balance of the body. Worcester enhances these exotic elements with a color palette ranging from a warm bronze to pale green and pink sprinkled with sporadic dustings of gold against a pale ivory body.

Picture England in 1874, a country bubbling with excitement over the new phenomenon, Japanism. Suddenly to a world accustomed to staid, European, historical British design, Royal Worcester introduces this bizarre, exotic confection.  The look of Royal Worcester’s offering with its raised panels of informal floral studies and Japanese mons, could only have stoked this excitement.