This is a rare example of early Mintons china. Mintons was a major company in Staffordshire pottery, Europe's leading ceramic factory during the Victorian era, an independent business from 1793 to 1968. It was a leader in ceramic design, working in a number of different ceramic bodies, decorative techniques, and a pot-pourri of styles - Rococo shapes with Oriental motifs, Classical shapes with Medieval designs and Art Nouveau borders were among the many wonderful creations as well as pottery vessels and sculptures. This teapot is a perfect example of the companies ingenuity. The body of the teapot is a Chinese man with his hands wrapped around the head of a demon with the spout coming out of it's mouth. It is Circa 1915 and fully signed on the base, please refer to photos. The man is wearing a robe decorated with a floral motif. The teapot measures 6 1/4 inches at the tallest part by 8 3/4 from spout to handle. This beautiful example of early Mintons is in excellent original condition and the figural Chinese teapot is a fine example from an elegant bygone era.