Coffee Pot c. 1755

This vibrant coffee pot was created by the Bow Porcelain Factory, active in England between 1744 and 1775. During this time, tea and coffee were becoming increasingly popular in Europe, but what may be overlooked is the history of colonialism, trade, and exploitation that enabled the widespread consumption of these beverages. While the pot itself is European, consider that the coffee it once held likely came from plantations in colonized lands, cultivated by enslaved laborers. The floral decoration, rendered in delicate detail, offers a contrast to the harsh realities of the global trade networks that fueled the porcelain industry. These images speak to a Western fascination with the exotic, obscuring the violence inherent in their production. The coffee pot invites us to reflect on the complex and often contradictory relationship between beauty, consumption, and social justice. It challenges us to consider the hidden histories embedded within everyday objects.