A rare Chinese blanc de Chine Dutch-decorated teapot and cover early 18th century

A rare Chinese blanc de Chine Dutch-decorated teapot and cover early 18th century, the small globular form moulded as a pomegranate with cover formed from dense leaves, finely enamelled in Holland with bees around a spray of flowers, the reverse with a butterfly above a floral garland, 12.8cm across. (2)

Provenance: the Helen Espir Collection, no. 798. Purchased from E & H Manners, June 2000.

Illustrated: Helen Espir, European Decoration on Oriental Porcelain, p.123, pl.10.

The decoration has been done very much in the German style, suggesting perhaps a decorator of German descent working in Holland c.1710-20. A similarly decorated teapot is in the collection at the Rijksmuseum, no. AKNM 4088 and forms part of a small number of Dutch-decorated pieces in this distinct manner.