A STAFFORDSHIRE PEARLWARE GROUP OF 'TEE TOTAL' CIRCA 1830-35

amusingly modeled as a family seated at a table set for tea before castle turrets and flowering trees, raised on a table base inscribed on the front TEE TOTAL. Some restoration and minor chips.

D. M. & P. Manheim Antiques, New York

Minor chips and losses to the leaves of the bocage; the branch behind the left shoulder of the male figure has been broken off and restored back. The female figure and the infant are both restored through their necks and the ends of the leaves on the mother's bonnet are chipped. The spout of the teapot is restored and the handle of the spoon in the sugar bowl is chipped away. There is some vrey minor flaking to the blue enamel of the male figure's coat and a small chip to his right elbow. The front right leg of the base has a minor 1/8-in. shallow chip to a rear corner and the rear leg on the same end has a very minor abraded patch to the corner.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The 'tee' portion of the word teetotal stands for the first letter of the word total, repeated for emphasis, and refers to total abstinence from alcohol.  The word first came into use in Britain in the 1830's and became a catch phrase of the Temperance Movement when its members were exhorted at a Preston meetin by Richard Turner to abstain tee-totally from all alcohol. 'Tee Total' is often found paired with the group 'Ale Bench', contrasting the effects of overindulgence in alcohol with the benefits of total abstinence.