Teapot

Date1770-1780

Maker Worcester Porcelain Manufactory

MediumPorcelain, soft-paste

DimensionsOH: 6 1/4"; Diam: 4 1/4"; OW 7 1/8"

Credit LineGift of Mr. & Mrs. Samuel M. Clarke

Object number1979-231,A&B

DescriptionTeapot with stand and cover of warm white body with blue-ish glaze and gros bleu (or dark blue) ground. The pot of globular form with gently sinuous spout and applied c-scroll handle with integral molding. With straight foot ring and collar. Two large reserves on body of pot and one small reserve on spout. Gently domed cover including a naturalistically modelled flower-form finial with two reserves. The contact points of the cover are glazed. The stand hexagonally-shaped with fluted straight sides and large central reserve and no foot ring and unglazed bottom.

The small reserve on the spout of the teapot with a small spray of pink flowers, the reserve bordered with gilt scrolls and the whole surmounting a spray of gilt flowers. The handle with gilt bellflowers and drops. One large reserve with yellow, purple, and white bird on long black legs in a forested surround, with small red-orange berries in the ground. The reserve bordered in ornate, dense rococo scroll and tassel design. The other large reserve with a large bird in yellow, pink, rust, magenta looking over shoulder at smaller flying bird of similar coloring. The smaller bird in advance of several flocks, painted as black "V's." The birds in a forested setting, with small rust colored berries. The cartouche outlined with gilt border identical to the other. The flower-form knop painted in pink and gold with green leaves. The asymmetrical placement of the finial visually balanced with a small gilt sprig. Between the two flowers, two smaller cartouches identically shaped and containing a distinct, large insect.

The stand with central reserve comprising a large bird ducking toward the ground. The bird with red, magenta, yellow, and white feathers. A smaller magenta bird flying overhead; a small flock of black-ish birds flying farther in the distance. The whole in a sparsely wooded scene comprising several twigs with sprays of berries.
Inscribedno
MarkingsCrescent in underglaze blue on bottom of teapot
ProvenanceJames A. Lews & Son, N.Y
Ex coll: Mr. and Mrs. J. McGregor Stewart Collection, Halifax, N.S.
Sotheby's, 13 November 1973, Lot 17
Bought by Amor for Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Clarke (Acc. No 303)

Exhibition(s)