English Caneware teapot and cover, with applied reliefs of 'The power of Love' and a standing and sitting putto with torches on one side; and 'Domestic Employment' and a putto with a hind on the reverse. The teapot and cover have rouletting on the rim of the lid and the edge of the teapot; the spout and handle are moulded with the handle ending in a foliate leaf. The teapot is engine turned at the bottom.
Dimensions: 5"L x 8"W
Condition: No Restoration
"The widow finial is of the type recorded for this maker, and has bare feet and the legs not crossed."
This pot is not impressed but as Elijah Mayer was known for doing widows with bare feet and modeled with the legs straight ahead, we are attributing this pot to him. c1800.
"He worked at his pot works at the Cobden Works, Hanley from 1790 to his death in 1813. His firm traded as E. Mayer & Son after 1804.
Source: "For a similar pot in basalt, please see plate 70 (217) page 156, "British Teapots and Tea Drinking by Robin Emmerson.
There are similar widow finials, but in basalt, in Diana Edwards book, "Black Basalt, Wedgwood and Contemporary Manufacturers, figures 293 and 295 on page 198; figure 299 on page 200, has a similar band of stylized flowers and scrolls at the neck and figure 298 has a similar wide ribbed base with similar springs of 'domestic employment' and 'power of love.' It is important to note that these pots are all impressed E. Mayer whereas, ours is not, which is why we are only attributing it to Elijah Mayer.
