A rare Portuguese faience (Rato factory) water fountain in the form of a diving dolphin circa 1770

of stylised baroque form, painted in high-temperature colours, a metal spigot between its teeth, its tail fin removing to form the stopper, on a separate marbled socle moulded with white paterae against a pale blue marbled ground (tail restored, typical minor chips and flakes to edges)

tips of tail and fin well restored, minor chips around aperture in teeth, edges of fins and corners and underside of fountain and socle.
"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."

The Royal Portuguese faience factory at Rato, outside Lisbon, was founded by the Italian Tomas Brunetto in 1767, and it seems likely that this ambitious fountain was amongst its first products. Compare both the modelling of the dolphin itself and the decorative use of white modelling against a blue marbled ground with the decoration of two large fish-tanks made for Dom Jose I, (King of Portugal 1750-77) and latterly in the Hector Binney Collection, sold at Sotheby's Parke Bernet on the 21st May 1992, lot 35b. A more closely similar dolphin, on a smaller scale, may be seen as part of a large table fountain illustrated by J.Queiros, Ceramica Portuguesa, p.81, pl.58, who also illustrates one of the fish-tanks on p.73, pl.47.