Octagonal teapots were made in Britain during the early 18th century and were a fashionable variation of the pear-shaped form. Pear-shaped teapots appeared in English silver in the late 17th century, inspired by Chinese ceramic shapes that were being imported into Europe. The narrow foot rim on this teapot suggests that it may have originally been accompanied by a lampstand and burner, which would have kept the water warm and which has since been lost.
