Featured Why was this ever invented?

It would make a great gift for the tea drinker who has everything. It's a way to pour the whole pot at once.

 

@say_it_slowly
That is a lovely collection you have.

 

hello cluttered.....no... glazed over terra cota is correct regards pewter2

 

Well, it pours easily enough, and as long as the cups are equally spaced and the teapot is level the cups will fill at the same rate without spillage.

OTOH if the teapot is not quite level when you begin pouring one cup will fill up quicker (as in photo).

I suspect spillages are more frequent using this rather than a single spout pot

 

Thanks I've always been interested in form, material etc and while some are in good condition, many are battered.

Wow that looks like it would make for a fun tea party! It would certainly show off the skill of the "mother".

 

Please go back and read post 10 and 16 by say_it_slowly

Glazed over red ware is most likely later than the original. Although it looks like maybe one early company did use red clay.

 

I have a set of dishes with square tea cups. Have any of you tried to drink from a square teacup? The only way to do it and not make a mess is drink from the corners

 

Reminds me of the deco cups with triangular filled in handles. Totally impractical but they look stunning!

 

You could use it as a way to test whether a party guest is too drunk to drive home!