This small but sturdy porcelain bell (aka baluster) form mug is decorated with flowers in the Imari palette of red, blue, and gilt on a white ground. It was made in China for export, most likely to Europe and North America, around 1730. It stands 4 inches high.
Sometime in the 18th/19th century, this mug took a tumble, resulting in a broken handle. Rather than tossing it out, it was taken to a tinker who fashioned a bronze replacement handle. Most often metal handles on teapots, cups, and mugs were wrapped with rattan for insulation and comfort but this handle remains bare.
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![](http://blog.andrewbaseman.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_2585.jpeg)
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This small mug with similar form and decoration suggests what the original handle on my mug might have looked like.
![](http://blog.andrewbaseman.com/wp-content/uploads/Screen-Shot-2019-12-30-at-5.58.25-PM.jpeg)
Photo courtesy of Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood
Tags: bronze, Chinese, Imari, metal handle, porcelain