A Meissen black-glazed Böttger stoneware coffee pot and cover, circa 1710-13.  photo Bonhams

After silver prototypes, of baluster square section, the edges of the handle, ribs and spout and detailing of the animal's head picked out in gilding, the cover with a diamond-cut finial, all with a deep black and manganese lustre in imitation of lacquer, 14cm high (minor wear to gilding) (2). Lot 66. Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000 / €24,000 - 36,000 / US$ 32,000 - 47,000. Unsold

Provenance: European private collection

Another black-glazed example of this form, with cold enamel decoration and gilding, is published by Claus Boltz, Steinzeug und Porzellan der Böttgerperiode, in Keramos 167/168 (2000), p. 76. An unglazed example of this model, which is listed in the 1711 inventory of the Meissen manufactory (Claus Boltz, Formen des Böttgersteinzeugs im Jahre 1711, in Mitteilungsblatt der Keramikfreunde der Schweiz, no. 96 (1982), p. 17: 'hohes 4 Eckichtes Thee Krügel'), is in the British Museum (Documentary Continental Ceramics from the British Museum (1985), no.1).

Bonhams. 23 May 2012 10:30 a.m. London, New Bond Street. Fine European Ceramics