Bullet teapot by A Johnston, Dundee

Printer-friendly version

Bullet teapot

Made by Alexander Johnson, circa 1739

Museum number 1985-181

The 'Bullet' teapot got its name because the shape echoed that of the spherical musket balls of the period. Amazingly, it was formed or ‘hand-raised’ from a flat sheet of silver by hammering it. The handle has insulation buttons of ivory to keep the handle from getting too hot.