Staffordshire white salt-glazed stoneware mask-moulded wall pocket Circa 1760-65

Press-moulded with a female head emerging from foliage.

There is a large section at the top broken off and restored back; the restoration is old and is flaking. There is a smaller triangular section broken off on the left at the rim edge issuing an extended haircrack and another restored area on the right rim edge.
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.

A similar example with a longer foliate scroll at the lower end is illustrated in Arnold R. Mountford, The Illustrated Guide to Staffordshire Salt-Glazed Stoneware, p. 155 (right). David Barker and Pat Halfpenny also illustrate in Unearthing Staffordshire, p. 64, cat. no. 45, a white salt-glazed stoneware block mould of this form together with a cream-colored earthenware example and three shards recovered from the excavations at Fenton Vivian, the site of Thomas Whieldon's pottery. Barker and Halfpenny "tentatively" attribute the colored earthenware example to Thomas Whieldon; but do not attribute the saltglaze block mould to a particular pottery.