teapot

Summary

Public: Lozenge shaped teapot with serpent spout and dolphin handle, red lead-glazed earthenware, with relief decoration of Greek key borders and pecten shells. Private: Lozenge shaped teapot, with angled tapering base on stepped spreading foot, angled shoulder and short straight neck. S-shaped spout in form of open-mouthed serpent rising from grotesque mask at base, handle in form of scaly dolphin with outward turned tail at lower terminal. Sides slip-cast in relief with small central pecten shell within arched border of S-scrolls and Greek key, surrounded by rectangular S-scroll and Greek key borders, repeated across shoulder and base. Stepped lozenge-shaped cover with Chinese kylin finial, notched across forepaws, and beaded border, hole pierced to one side. Deep red earthenware body with glossy lead glaze.