A very rare Longton Hall powder blue-ground melon-form teapot and cover, circa 1755

naturalistically moulded in the form of a melon, set with a leaf moulded spout and a twisted vine handle, raised on a triangular shaped foot, minor damage.

Mrs. Hugh Statham Collection, Sotheby's, London, 20th May 1967, lot 304
The Shand Kydd Collection, Sotheby's, London, 15th November 1994, lot 215

Stoke-on-Trent, The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Digging for Early Porcelain, 1998

Bernard Watney, Longton Hall Porcelain, 1957, p. 33, fig. 22c

The finial of the cover is chipped. Two sections of applied branch originally issuing from the handle are missing. The interior with a fine body crack
"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."

An example naturalistically coloured in shades of green and yellow was exhibited at The Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, English Ceramics from a Northern California Collection, 1980, and illustrated in the exhibition catalogue, cover and no. 155. A further example left in the white is in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, no. C.267 and A-1918.