Auctioner holding the teapot© Tom Wren / SWNS
An incredibly rare royal teapot is being placed on auction and is expected to sell for thousands of pounds. The ‘Round Robin’ teapot was commissioned in 1867 by the then Princess of Wales, Alexandra of Denmark, for her husband Edward, who ascended to the throne in 1901 following Queen Victoria’s death.
This unique piece, featuring a chirping European Robin atop a natural domed base adorned with holly leaves and berries, was crafted by the renowned Staffordshire pottery company Minton. Based on a design by William Thomas Goode, the teapot stands approximately seven inches tall and comes complete with its lid.
Now, over 150 years since its creation, it’s due to be auctioned at Auctioneum Ltd in Bath, and is open to any collector who may be interested. It is expected to fetch as much as £8,000.
Frontal image of the teapot© Tom Wren / SWNS
Auctioneer Andrew Stowe expressed his excitement, stating: ”It’s always special when we discover something of such rarity, but when that item was made for a future King of England, it sets one’s pulse racing.” He added: “It’s an incredible piece of history,” and said: “This is the type of object we auctioneers dream of finding.
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“Not only was it made by the most famous ceramic factory, Minton, but it carries such extraordinary provenance. Only two ‘Round Robin’ teapots were ever produced, with the other being retained by the factory and later sold off.” Andrew further commented: “We often talk about rarity, but when there were only two made, I think it definitely qualifies as rare.
“It’s an incredible piece of history. For collectors, it doesn’t really get much better than this. How often does one get offered the opportunity to own a royal robin?”
The year the teapot was commissioned proved to be a challenging one for the Princess of Wales and Edward. During the birth of their third child, Alexandra fell ill with a severe case of rheumatic fever that threatened her life and left her with a lasting limp.
Top of the teapot© Tom Wren / SWNS
Traditionally, the robin is seen as a symbol of hope, renewal, and fresh starts, being early nesters that herald the arrival of spring. It’s thought that the symbolism behind the teapot could reflect her emotions during that period.
The teapot is estimated at £5,000 to £8,000 and features in Auctioneum’s November 24th’ Fine Art & Antiques’ Auction.
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