A very rare Flight & Barr Worcester Miniature Teapot,
decorated with blue and pink cornflowers, gilded 'pinecone' finial, c1795
(P1171)
This is an extremely rare and stunning miniature or 'toy' Flight
and Barr teapot dating from c1795. Such miniatures are rare indeed and were
supplied as children's toy wares. Needless to say such delicate teapots in the
hands of children often failed to survive very long. This teapot was obviously
very fortunate, as it has survived in extremely good condition (see condition
report below for complete report).
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For a condition report: click here
Although this magnificent little teapot is unmarked, I am
certain that it is from the Flight and Barr Worcester factory as it is of the
right body and has the correct style spout, handle and the shanked body is very
finely potted.
The size of the teapot makes it rare, being only 4.5" (115mm) in
height to the tip of the lid finial X 6" (152mm) in length from the tip of the
spout to back edge of the handle. The centre picture above shows the
teapot next to a UK £1 coin.
The body of the teapot is of a circular shape, with finely
potted spiral 'shanked' moulding. The entire body is decorated in a charming
cornflower pattern in blue, pink, green and yellow, enriched with wonderful
honey coloured gilding.
Around the shoulder of the teapot's body is a cornflower garland
which runs right around it. This comprises cornflowers linked with green foliage
in green with black lined edges. This garland of cornflowers is bounded on the
top by a scalloped gilt line and below with a straight gilt line.
The main body of the teapot, below the garland of cornflowers, is
decorated with stylised cornflowers regularly positioned in three rows. These
are interspersed by gilt leaves. This combination gives a beautiful decorative
effect to this charming teapot.
Each tiny cornflower has blue petals, pink stamens, black stem
with a green and a yellow leaf.
The handle of the teapot is of an open loop with a 'C' scroll at
the base termination. The top back edge of the handle has a moulded leaf pattern
that is picked out with rich honey gilding. Below this moulded leaf is a fine
gilded design on the back edge of the handle.
On the inside portion of the handle at the top, where it joins
the body of the teapot ,are a series of diminishing gilded lines.
The teapot has an elegant spout which for the first two-thirds
from the body is moulded with straight lines. From then on it is of a smooth
round section.
At the portion of the spout nearest to the body of the teapot
are a series of gilt decorations in the form of diminishing gilded lines
The front face of the spout has an additional gilt decoration
applied and on the top edge a series of gilt dots. Finally, the tip of the spout
has a gilded ring.
With the lid of the teapot removed it reveals a raised teapot
collar and inside can be seen the six straining holes.
The teapot is raised on a shallow foot rim. There are no
manufacturer's marks on the base of the teapot or inside of the cover.
The cover of the teapot is very pretty, with a moulded pinecone
shaped finial which is partially gilded. The cover itself is moulded in the same
way as the body of the teapot with spiral 'shanked' lines.
The cover has the same delicate decoration applied to it as the
body of the teapot. There is the garland of cornflowers and green foliage
running around the outer rim of the teapot, this is bounded by a gilt line on
the inner edge and a gilded rim to the edge of the cover.
In the centre of the cover there are the tiny corn flowers, four
in number, interspersed with the tiny gilt leaves. There is an air hole in the
lid, just as you would have on a full sized teapot.
The finial of the cover is particularly pretty. It is in the
moulded shape of a pine cone and has gilded decoration to highlight the moulded
shape.
There is a wide collar on the underside of the cover to hold the
lid in place when on the teapot.
This is certainly a very rare and absolutely charming
miniature or 'Toy' teapot and cover from the Flight and Barr factory c1795.
Size and Weight: (values are approximate)
Marks:
Although this magnificent little teapot is unmarked, I am certain that it is
from the Flight and Barr Worcester factory as it is of the right body and has
the correct style spout, handle and the shanked body is very finely potted. The
style of the teapot and its moulded and applied decoration would date it to
c1795 when this spiral fluted (shanked) body was at its height of fashion.
This exquisite teapot is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks,
repairs or restoration. The only minor imperfections are some rubbed areas of the
gilt decoration to the cover (shown below). This is mainly a short section of
the gilt line round the finial ½" (12mm) which I have indicated with an arrow
and a little wear to the gilded leaves and finial gilding.
The only tiny imperfections, which is not damage, but caused at
the time of manufacture is a tiny amount grit in the glaze on the very edge of
the underside of the cover collar (first picture below) and what may appear a
few minute chips on the rim, but these are glazed, so again there from the time
of manufacture. I mention these, but to be fair they REALLY are insignificant.
This really is an extremely rare and most magnificent miniature or 'toy '
teapot for the connoisseur collector of eighteenth century porcelain or pieces
for the Flight and Barr Worcester factory.
