Chinese Yixing Teapot with Cloud and Medallion Motifs

Dark chocolate pot with three round medallions on its low belly.

This yixing teapot with cloud and medallion motifs is from China, and dates to the 20th century. It is pottery. Medallions are round or shaped panels that set off a motif from the surrounding surface, a layout used on Chinese porcelain and textiles to frame flowers, characters or scenes. Squat, wide teapot in deep brown with a domed lid topped by a ball knob. Round flower-like medallions are pressed around the shoulder, and a curved handle ends in a flick, with a short spout opposite. It is 6.25 inches wide, 4.5 deep and 3.75 high.

Sober color, stamped flowers, and a tidy turn of the handle.