This teapot has a wonderful provenance, having come from the collection of Jonathan Rickard, the late British pottery scholar. And he bought it from Paul Vandekar, who is a top dealer in antique ceramics. What better recommendation could it have?

It is creamware with a surface agate decoration, engine turning on the lower section and rouletting on the upper, topped by a lion knop, a handle with foliate terminals, and a most unusual spout.

3 3/4" height; 8 1/2" handle to spout.