Meet one of the most characterful pieces to land in our shop lately: a striking blue and white figural teapot shaped as a rotund, robed gentleman sitting cross-legged beneath a grand tasseled hat. Collectors know this jolly fellow as the Parliament Judge, though plenty of folks take one look at his round belly and contented pose and simply call him the Buddha teapot.
Every part of him has a purpose. His pointed hat lifts off as the lid, one outstretched arm forms the spout, and a curved handle rises from his side for pouring. The robes are richly molded with scrollwork, and his round face peeks out with an expression somewhere between stern judge and merry old soul. It is a design made to make you smile.
The finish is the real showstopper. This is flow blue, the classic English technique where deep cobalt glaze is applied to the raised surfaces and allowed to bleed into the white during firing. The result is that dreamy halo of blue melting into cream that collectors prize, the high points reading as rich navy while the recesses glow pale. No two pieces ever flow quite alike.
Figural teapots like this grew out of the beloved Toby tradition of portly, good-humored characters that have charmed English potteries for generations. A piece like this was never meant to hide in a cupboard. Brew in him or simply perch him on a shelf or hutch, and he brings instant blue and white charm and a dose of good cheer, pairing beautifully with other blue and white china.
Come meet the Parliament Judge in person at Pollyanna’s Antiques in downtown Mt. Clemens, open Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 to 4. Characters this charming have a way of finding a new home quickly.