Description: We are listing this Canton form separately from the Dome Top Teapots that they are normally associated with. They also may have been used as stands for other types of teapots and the four different forms of tiles/trivets were also probably used under any hot pots, dishes and bowls.

We have broken these stands into 2 groups:

Group 1—These are thick, heavy, circular stands with a full Canton scene. The 6 pictured here range in size from 4 5/8″ to 7 3/4″ in diameter x 3/4″ to 1 3/8″ high. They weigh from 5 oz. to 1 lb. 2 oz. They have often been found with dome top teapots but many have been parted from their teapots like these examples. They were used to protect the hot teapot from scorching wood table tops. The more common tall dome top pots have bases that range from 3″ to 3 3/8″ in diameter and the scarcer squat dome tops have bases from 3 7/8″ to 4 1/8″ in diameter. Both size teapots will fit on all of these stands.

Group 2—The 3 pictured together are also thick porcelain, heavy for their size, and circular but they do not have the full Canton scene. What they do have is just 3 sampans and twin mountains. These 3 3/4″ to 4 1/2″ diameter stands are not suitable for the dome top teapots, even the largest stand does not accomodate the smallest teapot base as the pots are very tippy on the stand. For the record they are 3/4″ to 1″ high and weigh 3 to 5 oz. So, what were they used for? Possibly for teacups, we do not think so as the decoration is different (rain cloud borders vs. straight line borders) and the thick porcelain vs. delicate teacups. One dealer who sold us two of these many years ago called them “honey pats”. Yes, they could have held a bit of honey or jam but why the heavy thick construction? And the same goes for using them as butter pats, see three separate pages for butter pats.

The two stands pictured below the large group picture are each representative of Groups 1 & 2, left to right. The last picture shows a squat dome top teapot and a slim teapot on Group 1 stands that fits their sizes nicely.