The teapot of globular form is decorated with scenes of European figures in famille rose. A European figure of a man dressed in red pants, a blue jacket and white cravat stands by a European lady dressed in a yellow blouse, red skirt and a blue overskirt as she extends her hand holding a handkerchief as she sits on the ground.

Both figures stand by the side of a building with another lady looking on from an open window. In the background are a group of buildings of European construction. Minor frit to finial.

It is interesting to note the figure looking from the window who although European represents the classic voyeur of classic Chinese storytelling.

The scene is known as La servante justifiee, which is after an engraving, by Larmessin after Lancret illustrating a fable of La Fontaine directly inspired by one of the Fables of the Queen of Navarre.

Illustrated by Hervouet and Bruneau, "La Porcelaine des Compagnies des Indes a decor occidental", 1985, No. 9.10

Length: 7 1/2 inches (19cm).

Circa 1755-1765.