A KAKIEMON TEAPOT EDO PERIOD, LATE 17TH CENTURY |

of lobed form with loop handle, spout and cover with floral finial, decorated in iron-red, green, yellow, black and blue enamels with floral sprays of chrysanthemums and wild pinks

There is a small repaired chip to the spout.
"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."

A similar example, from the collection of the Duchess of Lauderdale, Ham House, London, is now in an English private collection, purchased from the 1948 sale when objects were deaccessioned. The Lauderdales were among the earliest tea drinkers and this style of teapot would have been an exotic luxury used in the "Duchess's Private Closet". The closet was typical of a lady's apartments that served as a tea room and together with the tea table, was furnished with japanned chairs and lacquer boxes for sweetmeats and tea. For further information on Luxury Ceramics and Objets d'Art formerly at Ham House by Patricia F. Ferguson, see Christopher Rowell, ed., Ham House 400 Years of Collecting and Patronage, (Yale, 2013), pp.309-324. A further example from the collection of Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks is in the British Museum, ref. Franks.1034. Franks was the keeper of the Department of British and Medieval Antiquities at the British Museum from 1866 to 1896.

For an example in the Groningen Museum, Groningen inv.no MB10, see Dr Christiaan J. A. Jorg, Interactions in Ceramics: Oriental Porcelain and Delftware (Hong Kong, 1984), pl.78 p.124.