A very rare Limehouse Kakiemon teapot and cover, circa 1746-48

of globular form brightly painted in enamels with scattered birds and winged insects amongst hanging chrysanthemum and prunus tendrils and scattered florets, repeated on the cover surmounted with a gilt acorn finial, with iron-red flowers to the handle and spout. Together with a Chinese Export coffee cup painted with the same pattern, red enamel crossed swords mark.

The teapot:
The Reverend Cecil J. Sharp Collection
The Bernard M. Watney Collection, Phillips, London, 22nd September 1999, lot 129

London, Stockspring Antiques, The Dragon and the Quail, 2000, illustrated in the exhibition catalogue, p. 10, no. 14
London, The British Museum, East Meets West - Over Decorated Porcelain, 2002

Bernard Watney, 'Four Groups of Porcelain Possibly Liverpool', E.C.C. Transactions, 1959, vol. 4, part 5, p. 15, pl. 11b,
Bernard Watney, 'Limehouse Coloured Wares', E.C.C. Transactions, 1993, vol. 15, part 1, fig. 8 and 9,
Bernard Watney, 'Limehouse Ware Revealed', 1993, p. 48, fig. 110, pl. XVI

there are two hairline cracks to the rim of the teapot and there are two chips to the rim of the spout.
"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."

This celebrated teapot is the central piece in a selection of porcelains known as the ‘Kakiemon Group’ which is discussed at length by Bernard Watney. This form of decoration appears on Dutch-decorated Chinese porcelain which suggests the piece may have been decorated in Holland, or was the work of a Dutch painter based in London. The decoration is inspired by Meissen designs ultimately derived from Japanese porcelain. Elements of this design appear on other coloured Limehouse pieces, a cream jug with identical flowers in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, acc. no. C. 1055-1924. Most recently an interesting English porcelain handle, probably Limehouse with this form of decoration was sold at Bonhams Oxford, 10th April 2013, lot 33. There are currently only four other coloured Limehouse teapots known, one like this example is decorated with polychrome painting on a white ground, the other three have clobbered enamel over underglaze-blue decoration, one of which is in the Norwich Castle Museum collection, no. 1946.70.419.