Teapot with a Decoration of Children at Play
A boy amidst flowers and foliage is a Buddhist motif that enjoyed popularity during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). After this teapot landed in Europe in the 17th century, it was fitted with the gilt-bronze chain and ornaments. In the process, the miniature figure atop the cover was made to mimic the little boy in the original decoration on the pot’s body.