Haviland Chocolate Pot

Q: This pot is 9 1/2 inches tall with lid. The pot, and its accompanying demitasse cups and saucers, was a wedding gift to my grandmother, who was married in 1902. I’ve heard that it is a coffeepot but my grandmother always referred to it as a chocolate pot. I’ve never seen one with this type of spout. I’m hoping you can clarify its purpose so I can properly identify it for my children, who will eventually take possession.

A: You have a coffeepot. Chocolate pots have a shorter spout at the top of the pot. The demitasse cups are also a clue to the beverage. One of the marks on the bottom identifies the maker of the pot and one identifies the company that decorated it. David and Daniel Haviland started their company in New York City in 1838 and imported tableware from France. David moved to Limoges, France, in 1841 and opened a decorating shop there in 1847. Haviland began making porcelain in Limoges soon after. By 1876 the company made all the porcelain it decorated. The New York company became Haviland Brothers and Company in 1852. After the New York company closed in 1863, the Limoges factory became Haviland and Company. It remained in business, run by members of David’s family, until 1931.