James Kent ‘Ye Old Foley Ware’ Blue and White Ceramic Teapot c.1910s

This is a classic example of a blue and white transfer-printed teapot produced by James Kent of the Old Foley Pottery in Longton, Staffordshire.

There is a galleried rim above a tapering, cylindrical body. This widens out above the base before angling back in to meet the plinth-like base. The handle is angular in shape, with an upward point that acts as a thumb rest. The spout is on the opposite side to the handle, and is of long, curved form.

The interior is glazed in white. The exterior is transfer-printed with a pair of complex country scenes surrounded by a stylised floral motif. One side depicts a windmill, and the other farm buildings.

It has a circular lid with a galleried base. There is a central round knop and a steam hole off-centre. This is also glazed in the same blue and white floral motif as the body.

The galleried base is unglazed and marked in the centre with a stylised globe mark surmounted by a crown. It contains the words ‘J. KENT FENTON ENGLAND’. Below this are the words ‘YE OLDE FOLEY WARE GREAT BRITAIN’. A similar mark to this was in use from 1913, although this included ‘Ltd’ added to the title. It is therefore likely that this mark dates to slightly before that.

It has a maximum height (including the lid) of approximately 14.6cm, with a diameter across the rim of about 8.3cm and across the base of about 9.9cm. It has a maximum width from the spout tip to the edge of the handle of about 22.5cm.

It has an unwrapped weight of 670g.

It is in good used condition, although there is a faint crack on the inside of the lid (see pictures). There are also a few inclusions within the glaze, which are manufacturing artefacts, and some crazing, which is to be expected given the age and use of the piece.