American Silver Small Teapot, Joseph Richardson, Sr., Philadelphia, Circa 1740

It has been suggested because of the unusually small size of this pot that it could have been used for saffron. In England, saffron pots were in use between approximately 1725 till the late 18th century. Saffron did make its way to North America with Alsatian, German, and Swiss immigrants who largely settled in eastern Pennsylvania, in the Susquehanna River valley. By 1730, these settlers were widely cultivating saffron and Pennsylvania Dutch saffron was soon being successfully marketed to Spanish colonists in the Caribbean. The overall high demand ensured that its listed price on the Philadelphia commodities exchange was set equal to that of gold.

For three pieces described as silver saffron pots recently on the market, see an Irish example by Stephen Walsh, Dublin, circa 1750 sold Christie's London, June 24, 2013, lot 117; a George I example by Humphrey Payne, London, 1724 sold Andrew Smith & Son, Nr. Winchester, UK, December 11, 2019, lot 40; and a later Dutch example of Amsterdam, 1856 sold by Langfords, UK that is still viewable on their website.