A rare Longton Hall white porcelain leaf-molded punch pot and cover circa 1750-55

naturalistically molded with overlapping leaves; the stalk handle and knob with fruit terminals.

Property of the Reverend Cecil J. Sharp Collection, sold, Sotheby's London, March 10, 1964, lot 102

Cover - chip to edge of grape leaf on knop. Several small chips to the leaf edges around the rim. Teapot - spout has been broken off and restored back on, and has filled old rivet holes to either side. Chip to upper edge of spout tip. Three small sections of branch have been chipped away on the handle, and a longer section of thin branch that woudl have extended to a small applied bunch of grapes on one side is missing. Two short haircracks to the rim, and a 1/4 inch chip. Factory filled firing crack in base. Scattered small patches of brown staining to the glaze overall.
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.

Two other punch pots of this form are now in museum's collections: a white porcelain example from the Jessie and Sigmund Katz Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (1988.875a-b) and an enamelled example from the Frances and Emory Cocke Collection at the High Museum of Art, Atlanta (1982.14). A similar punch pot from the J. Hawkins Collection is also illustrated in William Bemrose, Longton Hall Porcelain, p. 11.