A very rare Richard Chaffers Liverpool relief-moulded white teapot and cover, circa 1758

of squat globular form, each side crisply moulded with scenes of Chinoiserie figures, three figures playing musical instruments on one side and two drinking tea in a garden on the other, within scroll-edged borders, finial replaced, two restored chips.

The Martha Isaacson Collection, Seattle
Acquired from Simon Spero, London, 10th October 1996

London, Simon Spero, An Exhibition of English Porcelain, 1996, illustrated in the exhibition catalogue, p. 11, no. 12
London, Phillips, Liverpool Porcelain, March 1997

Bernard Watney, Liverpool Porcelain,1997, p. 26, fig. 80
'Pottery and Porcelain from the Collections of American Members', E.C.C Transactions, 1962, vol. 5, part 3, p. 170 and pl. 167a

There is a restored chip to the underside of the cover's rim. There is also an area of restoration to the lower edge of the spout's tip. The finial has been replaced.
"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."

No other comparable porcelain teapot with this form of decoration appears to be recorded. The detail in the moulded scenes is superb and is akin to the earlier crisply moulded redwares of the Staffordshire potteries. It is probable that this form is inspired by contemporary silver. Chinoiserie figures appear on a variety of silver forms in the mid-18th century, a silver coffee pot by Samuel Courtauld, circa 1753 depicts similar cartouches of Chinoiserie figures flanked by palm trees, was sold at Sotheby’s London, 4th December 2012, lot 400. A set of three silver tea caddies by Louis Courtauld and George Cowles, circa 1768 is moulded with similar scenes of Chinoiserie figures preparing tea, illustrated by Vanessa Brett, The Sotheby’s Directory of Silver, 1600-1940, 1986, p. 216, no. 948.