A German polished stoneware teapot and cover, perhaps Plaue, circa 1720

of rectangular form, with unpolished foliate branch handle and spout, the domed cover with a camel finial, traces of cold painting in green on the handle and spout, 

two corners of the cover chipped, one with a piece re-stuck; other very minor chips to edges For all sales which take place on or after 1 February 2015, please note that the rate of buyer's premium for each lot (charged as a percentage of the hammer price achieved for that lot) has been revised and shall be calculated at the thresholds set out below: Buyer's premium is 25% of the hammer price up to and including £100,000; Buyer's premium is 20% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £100, 000 up to and including £1,800,000; Buyer's premium is 12% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £1,800,000. As stated above, the revised thresholds are effective as of 1 February 2015.
"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 stoneware rivals and successors to Böttger's stoneware are rare and under-researched. Most, however, used a coarser, lighter material incapable of taking the polish of the lapidary's wheel. At Plaue, however, a very hard body was developed, and some ambitious pieces produced.  Perhaps the best-known of these is a tea kettle in the Arnhold collection, exhibiting the same uneven modelling and striated clays as the present piece, together with the close-textured, unglazed spout; see M. Cassidy-Geiger, The Arnhold Collection of Meissen Porcelain, 1710-50, no.382, pp.720-722.