An Antique English Creamware Whieldon style Tortoiseshell glazed teapot and cover, c1770-80

An Antique English Creamware Whieldon style Tortoiseshell glazed teapot and cover with applied relief sprigged gilded decoration with a crabstock handle and spout together with a bird knop and three mask and paw feet, c1770-80 

Dimensions: 4 1/2"H; 7 1/4"W

Condition: restoration to one wing on bird knop; two of the feet and base of handle

Literature: "...Apart from redware and saltglaze sherds, these consisted very largely of a colour-glazed ware, which, known as 'tortoiseshell' ware, has long been associated with the name of Whieldon and is a creamware decorated with coloured glazed giving a mottled effect (Plate 3A, pg. 27).  As we know from excavated material, these glazes were not painted on but applied to the body in crystal form.  During the firing the crystals melted and merged into the glaze producing the mottling...Much of the early Whieldon creamware whether plain or tortoiseshell, bore sprigged decoration, that is to say small patterns, usually floral, in relief, applied from moulds after the pot had been thrown.  These were frequently joined by clay threads forming stems, or so arranged as to form a single unit (Plates 3A and B, Colour Plate A) or were touched in with colour or gold (Plate 3B and 4).  Teapots at this time frequently had a bird knob and stood on three feet, the handle and spout being crabstock.  Sometimes we meet with early examples of Whieldon creamware on which the absolute plainness is relieved by a very gentle use of coloured glazes."  Source:  "Creamware" by Donald Towner, pgs, 27 and 28. 

An example of this tea pot can be found in Reilly's "Wedgwood" Volume One, page 169, figure C8.  It is attributed to the Whieldon-Wedgwood partnership, c1756.