A Chinese porcelain Dutch-decorated teapot with cover and stand Yongzheng 1723-35

A Chinese porcelain Dutch-decorated teapot with cover and stand Yongzheng 1723-35, the small pear-shaped body later-enamelled in the Dutch doré manner with high-handled baskets of flowers and small panels of a fisherman beside small buildings or sentry boxes, reserved on a ground of pencilled red leaves on gold, the outside rim of the octagonal stand with a single peony spray to each side, 15cm max. (3)

Provenance: the Helen Espir Collection, no. 465. Purchased from Christie's, 7th December 1995, lot 574.

This design, known as Baskets and Fishermen, was a particular favourite of Dutch decorators, who developed it first on Delft pottery before moving it across to imported Chinese porcelain. It remained popular for a long period, but varies widely in the quality of execution.