Franz Porcelain Collection | Papillon Butterfly | Butterfly Teapot | XP1878 | Designed & Sculpted by Jen Woo | 2002 or later

Franz Porcelain Collection | Papillon Butterfly | Butterfly Teapot | XP1878 | Designed & Sculpted by Jen Woo | 2002 or later

The handle is a butterfly, the spout is a leaf, and the lid carries a flower — this is a teapot that refuses to be reduced to function.

Franz Collection was established in Taiwan in 2001. Its Papillon Butterfly collection received the Best in Gift Award at the New York International Gift Show in 2002. The Papillon Butterfly Teapot, model XP1878, was introduced that same year.

The body is modelled as a full, rounded sphere, the glaze graduating from ivory-white at the base through soft celadon towards the shoulder. Applied in relief across the surface are two fully open narcissus blooms — cream petals with yellow centres — accompanied by closed buds and long, curling green leaves that move fluidly across the form. The spout emerges as a sculpted leaf, tapering to a fine, controlled point.

The handle is formed as a fully three-dimensional butterfly: wings spread and slightly raised, painted in orange-peach shading to yellow with brown veining and white-spotted tips, the body rendered in deep brown. The base glaze shifts to a soft pink-mauve tone, carried through into the handle and along the edge of the spout, unifying the composition.

The circular lid sits neatly within a leaf-edged collar and is finished with a narcissus bloom finial. The base bears the underglaze blue Franz mark, red seal stamp, design number XP1878, and the hand-applied signature of Jen Woo.

The teapot remains in mint, unused condition. There are no chips, cracks, crazing, or losses. All applied sculptural elements are intact. The original Franz presentation box is included, showing light storage wear, along with the Franz Porcelain pamphlet.

Key Details

• Maker: Franz Porcelain Collection
• Series: Papillon Butterfly
• Design number: XP1878
• Designer & Sculptor: Jen Woo
• Form: Teapot
• Material: Porcelain
• Date: 2002 or later (model introduced 2002)
• Dimensions: 19.1 × 15.9 × 18.1 cm (manufacturer’s specification)
• Weight: 668 g
• Condition: Mint, unused
• Box: Original Franz presentation box included
• Pamphlet: Included

Collector Appeal

• Butterfly handle, leaf spout and narcissus finial, all modelled in three dimensions
• Signed by Jen Woo, with the underglaze Franz mark and red seal
• Mint and unused, with its original box and Franz pamphlet

Other ‘Papillon Butterfly’ pieces from the shop: tray, creamer, lidded sugar jar, teacup, saucer and spoon and butterfly spoon.

A teapot this resolved in its own design stops being an object of use — and becomes an argument for why even the everyday should be made properly.