Höchst Porcelain Teapot with Lid, From J Jameson Collection Kinnaird, c. 1755

Small teapot of hard-paste porcelain hand painted with sprigs of flowers with an animal spout. A teapot of this shape is in the V&A (C.1502&A-1919) and dated to 1755. On the bottom is a red underglazed wheel mark, the symbol of Mainz, as well as wheel impressed mark. Old label to the base with J Jameson Collection Kinnaird.

The teapot is in very good condition with no cracks. Minor fritting to the spout, rim and lid edges. Some tiny kiln grit as expected of such an early piece.

The Höchster Porzellan-Manufaktur was founded in 1746 as a porcelain manufactory of the Elector of Mainz. It was the second-oldest porcelain manufactory in Germany (after Meissen) and the fourth oldest in Europe. The pottery factory was established by Johann Christoph Göltz and Felician Clarus with help from the porcelain painter Adam Friedrich von Löwenfiinck. Only tin-glazed earthenware was made at the factory until 1750, when Johann Jacob Ringler arrived to assist in making porcelain. Production ceased in 1792/93 when the French revolutionary army occupied Mainz and was officially closed in in 1796. A modern manufactory was opened in 1947 and reopened in 1965 and is still around.