

An unglazed red stoneware teapot of bulbous form from Shandong province with two knobs and two protuberances on the shoulder, each of which has two pierced holes used to connect the two brass handles which overhang the top of the teapot. The teapot has a pewter mounted flanged rim, base and curved spout. The body is decorated in pewter overlay. The main decoration on the body consists of two dragons chasing flaming pearls, at the back a large shou character which represents longevity is flanked by two bats, and surrounding the spout. There is a large stylised bat design. The red stoneware lid is also mounted in pewter and embellished with a moulded Guangxu tongbao coin with square hole in the middle, currency which was in circulation in the Guangxu reign period from 1875-1908. There is a label printed with the maker's details on the base which reads 'Yung Hor', the maker, '44, Dorward Road, Weihaiwei', the address, and an inscription which states 'The only reliable maker of these teapots in the district.'