A very rare Chelsea teapot and cover, circa 1752-55

probably by Jefferyes Hamett O'Neale, heavily potted and of hexagonal form, painted in puce camaïeu with a landscape of two Roman soldiers gazing at a statue of Hercules and the Nemean Lion, the reverse painted with a small flower spray and scattered sprigs, red anchor mark to the interior, cracked and stabilized.

Phillips, London, 26th May 1999, lot 165

Elizabeth Adams, Chelsea Porcelain, 2001, p. 109, fig. 8.19

There are body cracks around the lower body of the teapot, one body crack extends to the rim of the teapot. There are some small areas of filling along these cracks and some associated crazing.
"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."

The Chelsea 1755 sixteen-day sale catalogue includes several lots which refer to teapots of this type. March 11, the second day of the sixteen day sale included lot 53, detailing octagon tea cups and saucers and a "teapot in landskip" and on the thirteenth day, lot 74 consisted of twelve octagon tea cups and saucers "enamell'd with purple landskip". A closely related teapot of this form from the Shand Kydd collection was sold at Sotheby's London, 15th November 1994, lot 219, previously in the Johnson Collection. This teapot is also painted in puce camaïeu with Roman soldiers, illustrated by Frank Tilley, Teapots and Tea, 1957, col. pl. E, where Tilley suggests that the inscription on the teapot 'ON.S.C' can be interpreted as 'O'Neale', 'Scripsit', 'Composuit', and that O'Neale therefore  'drew' and 'composed' the subject.