A CHINESE EXPORT FAMILLE-ROSE SPHERICAL TEAPOT AND COVER circa 1730

the grisaille cell diaper ground reserved on either side with an irregularly shaped panel superimposed against gilt flowering branches and painted with a Chinese pheasant before a rock and peonies, the cover with flowering branches, and each with a gilt blossom and foliate-scroll border.

Original chip and firing tear to spout, wear to gilding of edge of cover and 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.
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.

Given the current interest in the subject of European decoration on Oriental porcelain, thoroughly explored by Helen Espir, European Decoration on Oriental Porcelain 1700-1830 (London, 2005), it must be mentioned that in discussing English decoration on Chinese porcelain, Mrs. Espir illustrates on p. 225, fig. 26 (right) a saucer dish identically decorated to the present teapot and comments on pp. 222 and 224 that it "is a fine example of Chinese export famille rose porcelain dating to 1730-40...and shows how opaque white enamel was used to shade the pink and white peony petals, to make the wings and tail feathers of the pheasant stand out and bring the blue rock to life, in contrast to the translucent greens of the leaves and the grisaille of the border.  English decorators frequently used opaque white enamel to underlie rose and other enamels in their heavy handed attempts at copying famille rose, a technique not employed by Dutch decorators who made little use of opaque white." It is difficult to believe, however, given the delicacy and quality of the decoration on this teapot and the mastery of its enamels, grisaille and gilding, that in the 1730s it could have been decorated anywhere but in China.

A waste bowl and a covered ovoid tea canister with this decoration are illustrated by Williamson, pls. X and XXV (both bottom, right).