Figure 1  Sherds of a Japanese Water Drop ware teapot found in an 1870s context at the Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, Newbury, Massachusetts. Note the charring on the base of the teapot. (Photo, Michael Hamilton.)
Figure 2  Advertisement for Japanese teapots from an 1890s catalog produced by A. A. Vantine & Co. of New York. Water Drop teapots are here offered wholesale in a variety of sizes. (Courtesy, The Winterthur Library, Printed Book and Periodical Collection.)
Figure 3  A Water Drop chocolate pot offered for sale by Vantine’s in its 1890s catalog. (Courtesy, The Winterthur Library, Printed Book and Periodical Collection.)
Figure 4  Teapot, Japan, 1870–1890. Earthenware. H. 4 3/4". An intact example of a Water Drop pattern. (Author’s collection; photo, Michael Hamilton.)