Lot 277: Blue and White Glazed Pottery Apothecary Teapot Inscribed Scorpions

A glazed pottery apothecary-style teapot of pedestalled form, featuring a crackle-finish white ground decorated with underglaze blue transfers. The vessel is designed with a flared foot, a bulbous body tapering to a narrow neck, a curved spout, and a simple loop handle. The conforming lid is surmounted by a globular finial. The front of the body displays a traditional apothecary cartouche; a central banner is inscribed in black capital letters ‘SCORPIONS’, positioned beneath the abbreviation ‘O.’ contained within a scrolled border. This central motif is flanked by two stylized birds and topped with a basket of fruit. Further decorative elements include a winged cherub head with a cross below, located at the base of the cartouche.

The underside of the base bears a hand-painted mark in black, depicting a central rounded hill topped with a cross, set above two wavy lines. This device is flanked by the capital letters ‘A’ and ‘H’. Below this mark is the date ’28/2/11′.