Kanbin Teapot

France's Mariage Frères has been importing and selling tea since 1854. Classic sake pourers inspired the shape of this enameled cast-iron teapot, which was handcrafted using traditional Japanese techniques; the pattern formed by the raised dots represents the sky. While the use of cast iron serves a practical purpose—it holds the heat longer than other materials—it also gives this teapot a time-honored allure.