The shape, rich red-brown clay, and subtle molded designs of both this 18th-century English punch pot and Erickson’s China Junk Teapot were inspired by teapots from Yixing, China, dating to the 1500s. China Junk Teapot is part of the artist’s Junk Ship series of ceramics made to appear as if found in the wreckage of trade ships. To suggest transformation over time, the artist cast from life and attached oyster shells to her version of a sunken teapot. Cargo junk ships could carry over 100,000 pieces of porcelain in addition to tea, silks, and spices, which were used in alcoholic punches served in pots like this English example.