Copper Chocolate Pot

Grade Range: K-12
Resource Type(s): Artifacts
Date Posted: 4/7/2016

This is a copper chocolate pot with a removable lid. It is an example of an English Georgian chocolate pot, but was most likely made in the United States. The stepped lid has a small cover that pivots on a rivet for a molinillo (whisk) opening. It has a seamed and dovetailed body with an elongated, s-shaped spout attached the body at an angle. A long, wooden handle is fitted inside the copper cylinder and attached to the lower portion of the body with three brass rivets. During the 18th century, the preparing, serving and consuming of chocolate and coffee became a ritualistic affair for the middle classes. While it had been popular with upper classes for a century earlier, the desire to mimic the upper classes led to a proliferation of utensils and serving ware to enhance the experience.