China, Wanli period (1563-1620). The slightly lobed teapot with high handle and silver spout, painted in underglaze blue with alternating panels of flowers and shishi lion amongst plants, the neck with geometric ground surrounding floral reserves, the cover with a similar floral design, with gilt silver mounts to handle and bronze knob to the cover.
Condition: Overall good condition, the cover with chips to rim and the handle repaired and stabilized with silver bands. Provenance: Holzapfel collection, Geneva, Switzerland. This lot was acquired by the grandfather of Mr. Holzapfel before 1970 and has been in the Holzapfel family ever since.