Three Chinese porcelain English-decorated teapots and covers 1st half 18th century

Three Chinese porcelain English-decorated teapots and covers 1st half 18th century, one with an anhua band of lotus beneath a ruyi-head border, the others in underglaze blue with a fence and flowering branches, variously over-decorated in the Imari style with further flowers in red and gilt, a Chinaman in a green coat, holding a spear,and panels of further scrolling flowers, and a Chinese teapot left undecorated by European hand, 17cm. (8)

Provenance: the Helen Espir Collection, nos. 583, 542, 317 and 717.

Illustrated: Helen Espir, European Decoration on Oriental Porcelain, p.74, pl.1 (items 583 and 717), p.217, pl.1 (item 317). Also, ECC Transactions, Vol. 19, Part I, Errol Manners, The English Decoration of Oriental Porcelain, p.18, pl.40..

Item 717 (the undecorated teapot) matches 583 and provides a wonderful opportunity for comparing and contrasting the simple original decoration with the more effusive manner favoured in Europe at the time.