Of the many commercial manufacturers of pewter in the twentieth century, the firm of Reed & Barton consistently produced the most original designs with the highest quality workmanship. John A. Prip, the designer of this teapot and a central figure in modern American design, came from a family of Danish metalworkers. In addition to designing and crafting pieces for Reed & Barton, Prip also served as an instructor at the Rhode Island School of Design, in Providence. The rounded, organic belly of the pot and the crescent moon finial on the lid of this tea-and-coffee set are elements of the organic, Scandinavian-influenced style that became popular in postwar America. The black plastic cording wrapped around the handles serves not only as a decorative element but also as heat insulation.