A soviet porcelain teapot, Komintern Porcelain and Faience Manufactory, Volkhov, 1923

of 'Standard' form, painted with leaves and flowers, the sides centred with a cockerel and an anthropomorphic flowerhead, the body signed and dated in Cyrillic S. Chekhonin 1923, the lid signed, dated and inscribed in Cyrillic S. Chekhonin 1923 Volkhov, the base with inscribed Cyrillic factory mark NGF, Volkhov and dated 1923

Excellent condition. With very light wear to the gilt around the rim and along the underside of the base.
"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."

From 1923 to 1925, Sergei Vasilievich Chekhonin (1878-1936) directed the artistic work at the Komintern manufactory at Volkhov, near his native Novgorod. The factory was founded in 1878 by E.I. Kuznetsov and in 1913 amalgamated with Bronnitsky and Gruzinsky factories. Known from 1917 as the Komintern manufactory, it was destroyed in the Second World War. 

For similar tea pots painted by Chekhonin, please see N. Lobanov-Rostovsky, Revolutionary Ceramics: Soviet Porcelain 1917-1927, London, 1990, no. 123, p. 109 and no. 141, p. 120.