teapot and lid, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom

Archive Label 2001: Ceramics had long imitated the forms of silversmiths. The precious metal platinum was used to make this silver luster glaze; it was diluted to such a degree that the amount on any one piece was only worth a few cents. With the entire surface lustered, this type of ware was designed to imitate the look of real silver and thus could be called a "poor person's silver.