This shape of teapot was popular at Worcester in the late 1750s. Of a delightfully small size, the baluster form has a slender, finely fluted spout, flattened cover and closed bud finial, and was inspired by Meissen, probably via Chelsea. The cover and finial is of an unusual early type, a form that was no longer used by the 1760s. The main decoration is printed in blue, although the border pattern is finely painted.

Although relatively few in number, most examples of this shape of teapot at Worcester are painted with polychrome flowers in the Meissen style. The rare Thrush pattern (BFS I.C.25) also appears as painted underglaze blue decoration on larger teapots of this shape, c.1760.

The example shown here, perhaps a bachelor's teapot on account of its small size, is decorated with The Plantation Print (BFS II.B.5), a pattern that first appeared at around the time this teapot shape was first produced at Worcester. It is rare to find a Chinese pattern rather than European decoration on this Meissen shape.

The strainer has five holes.

The inside cover is marked with an incised numeral 3. This is most unusual for Worcester, as the marks used are rarely ever incised.

Condition: The cover has been broken into four pieces and re-stuck, with some small parts lacking. The bud finial is also chipped, and the vent hole was glazed over during production. The teapot itself is in good condition with just three minute chips around the top edge of the body.

Dimensions: Height (to top of finial) 4 3/8" (11.1cm)

II.B.5 and I.C.25 - Worcester Blue & White Porcelain 1751-1790, Branyan, French & Sandon (Barrie & Jenkins, 1989).

Godden's Guide to Blue and White Porcelain, Geoffrey A. Godden (Antique Collectors' Club, 2004).