An unusual George II teapot
Auction: 13 August 2014 at 14:00 BST
Description
Robert Gordon, Edinburgh 1742, of compressed spherical form with short scroll spout and 'C' scroll wooden handle, the flush hinged cover with scallop shell and scroll engraved detail to rim and hinge, engraved Latin inscription to base
Dimensions
18cm high, 30.8oz
Footnote
Heraldry:
The arms of SPEARMAN impaling YOUNG,
for the marriage of Charles Spearman of Thornle, co. Durham to
Margaret, sister of William Young, governor of Grenada and Tobago.
Notes;
Although teapots of this compressed bullet form are not uncommon teapots of this scale appear highly unusual. There seem no obvious reason for the teapot to be made in such a size other than a client showing his wealth and status through size.
Although close comparisons are hard from extant records it appear this is the largest example of an 18h century Scottish teapot, by some margin.
The Latin motto to the base, a gesture and token of love from the husband to his wife, reads:
Connubialis Amoris Procit
Monumentum ac nigus
Optimae Conjugi
Margarette
Marito Felicifsimo gratifsimo peramanlifsimo
Offertur
Carlo Spearman
A.D MDCCLXI