Sèvres porcelain tortoiseshell ground Teapot 1816

Théière Etrusque B. Large globular teapot with tall angular handle and spout in the form of a dragon's head. Mottled tortoiseshell ground (fond laque), gilt and platinum decoration of a frieze of vine leaves and grapes, a hanging garland of foliage, and overall gilding for the handle and spout. Height 16.5 cm, length 24.5 cm. Blue printed mark of interlaced L's enclosing a fleur de lys and the word "Sevres". Script mark in gilding DY.

This shape of teapot was designed in 1804, along with other teawares of shapes loosely inspired by Ancient Greek pottery. In early mentions it is also called "théière à bec de dragon", but from 1816 the name "théière étrusque B" is used.

A design of 1804 for this shape with Etruscan style decoration is in the Sèvres archives, reproduced in The Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory, Alexandre Brongniart and the Triumph of Art and Industry, exhibition catalogue, Bard Graduate Centre, New York, 1997-98, pl. 11a (also on the cover).

About eight of these teapots were made. We know of only of one other surviving example, of 1811. Ours must be the example which enters the factory sale room on 11 September 1816, described as "fond laque, décor en or". Its manufacturing cost is noted as 64 Francs, and its sale price at 100 Francs.

Very slight wear to the gilding on the top edge of the teapot under the cover.

Stock Ref: WS 254

Price: £7,200