teapot

Summary

Public: Globular teapot, red lead-glazed earthenware, with incised decoration and applied white reliefs of fleurs-de-lys, cherubs, birds and leafy sprigs. Private: Globular teapot on spreading foot, with flattened shoulder and short straight neck. Loop handle in form of dolphin with rouletted scales and outward turned tail at lower terminal, short curved spout with grotesque mask at base. Decorative border of incised and rouletted diagonal lines around belly reserving continuous row of plain diamonds, every other diamond overlaid with applied stamped relief in white comprising, from right of handle, two leafy sprigs, bird in landscape, fleur-de-lys, leafy sprig, bird in landscape, bird in leafy branch. Row of stamped reliefs around shoulder comprising, from right of handle, fleur-de-lys, cherub, leafy sprig, feathery scroll, bird in landscape, cherub. Narrow white slip-dipped bands to neck and spout rims, white slip spot to handle at thumbrest. Shallow domed circular cover with Chinese kylin finial, rouletted border within white slip-dipped rim, two stamped reliefs of bird in landscape and sprig of acorns, and small pierced hole to one side. Deep red earthenware body with glossy lead glaze.