A Tournai teapot (théière globulairs) and cover from the Duc D'Orléans service circa 1787

decorated with a blue band set with gilt floral festoons flanking two large geometric medallions enclosing ornithological and two small round medallions enclosing butterflies, the cover with an acorn finial and similar decoration, the base with the names of the birds in black script

The spout is grind down and has a small chip to the rim. Otherwise in good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In 1787 the Tournai factory received an order for a service for Philippe-Joseph, Duc d'Orléans (1747-93). It is not known whether the entire service was delivered to the Palais-Royale in Chantilly, but it is certain that not all pieces were delivered in 1791. This extensive service comprised a total of 1593 pieces, of which 594 were sold to the Prince of Wales through the dealer Robert Fogg, recorded in two invoices dated 18 July 1803 and 9 October 1806 (See: L. Delplace, Considérations sur les porcelains de Tournai, pp.256-259; more pieces were certainly delivered, as there are more examples of some shapes in the Royal Collection than mentioned on the invoices of 1806 and 1809). Only 565 pieces of the service survive in the Royal Collection, which leaves 29 pieces unaccounted for, which might have been disposed of as gifts.

In total there were three different shapes of teapots made for the service, the Théière de forme Calabre, Théière Litron and Théière Globulaire, all of which were produced in two sizes. The teapot offered here is of the largest size, another teapot of this size is kept in the Royal Collection in Windsor.

Not even the royal manufactory at Sèvres ever produced a service of this extraordinary size. By way of comparison, the Sèvres service for Louis XV (1753-55) consisted of 493 pieces, and the service made for Catherine the Great of Russia (1776-79) comprised 706 pieces. The only service of European porcelain that was of a comparable size was the Swan Service, made at Meissen for the Saxon Prime Minister, Count Brühl, between 1737 and 1741, which comprised an astonishing 2200 pieces (See: C. Dumortier et.al., Porcelaine de Tournai, le Service d'Orléans, p.35).