A Mintons majolica teapot and cover circa 1876

modelled as a flat iron moulded with a band of mice alternating with flowerheads against a brown ground, the cobalt- blue body with green and ochre borders, a ginger and white cat perched on top of the high loop handle looks down upon a small mouse holding a carrot which forms the finial of the cover, pale pink- glazed interior

Since an appearance at Christie's South Kensington on 20th June 2001, a number of examples of this rare model have appeared on the market. The most famous recently offered is probably that included in the Marilyn G.Karmason Collection, Michael G.Strawser Majolica Auctions, October 28th and 29th 2005, lot 382.

This teapot shows similarities with the designs of Christopher Dresser who was producing designs for the Minton factory from the late 1860s. See M.G.Karmason and J.B.Stacke, Majolica, A Complete History and Illustrated Survey, p.52, where it is suggested that this teapot was probably designed by Dresser.