This fabulous hand decorated teapot, circa 1890-1910, is unmarked as to the manufacturer but was hand painted either in the factory or outside professional decorating studio.

The teapot has the look of Royal Worcester, Royal Rudolstadt or one of the fine Austria/Bohemian porcelain companies of the era. The pot and lid has a gently swirl ribbed design with a fixed, rectangular handled placed on the top of the teapot over the lid. The piece is decorated with beautiful azalea blossoms and unopened buds in shades of variegated pink and lavender nestled among leaves in a variety of shades of green, crimson and golden tan on dark brown stems. On one side are two lovely blue and brown tree swallows in flight. All the decoration is outlined and highlighted with gold, against a soft biscuit background with random gold splotches. The teapot measures 7 1/4" in height; 8" from handle base to tip of the spout and 5 1/2" across. Marked on the base in red "859 1 over 2375 over 93", and inside the lid "43". There are no cracks, chips or repairs; a minor factory flaw in the glaze on the lid and light crazing. The design is breath-taking.