A very fine George II Bullet Teapot made in London in 1734 by John Swift.
A very fine George II Bullet Teapot made in London in 1734 by John Swift.
374833
The "Bullet" shaped Teapot is one of the best known shapes of the George II period and this represents an early example of its form. This very fine teapot has a globular shaped main body which stands on a cast and applied foot, decorated with reeding. The facetted, cast, straight spout has a moulded lip and displays a triple drop at its base. Twelve strainer holes are pierced on the interior of the main body, where the spout is attached. The facetted and scalloped handle sockets are attached to the main body and the fruitwood scroll handle. The circular flat cover is attached to the main body with a flush three part hinge. The finial consists of a cast and applied spool shaped moulding, a removable flattened wooden ball, and a silver bolt with a cast baluster top, secured by an interior wing nut. The Teapot is of the finest quality, as would be expected from this maker. It is in quite excellent condition and has a very good colour. It is fully marked in the foot and with the sterling mark on the inside of the cover. The front is engraved with a contemporary Armorial, surrounded by a trellis and foliate scroll work cartouche
The Arms are those of Isham (with a Baronet's badge) impaling Wood for Sir Edmund Isham, 6th Baronet (1690-1772) of Lamport, Northamptonshire. He was educated at Rugby School and Wadham College Oxford and embarked on a legal career, becoming an advocate in Doctors' Commons (1724) and a judge advocate in the Court of Admiralty ( 1731-41). He married Elizabeth Wood, daughter of Edward Wood of Littleton, in 1735. She died in 1748 and he remarried in 1751.
He unexpectedly became Baronet of Lamport on 5th March, 1737, when his older brother died young. He was elected a few days later on 31st March, 1737, to his brother's seat in Parliament as the Tory member of Parliament for Northamptonshire, and ran unopposed each successive term after that for the rest of his life. He died on 15th December, 1772, with no issue, and was succeeded as baronet by his nephew Justinian Isham.
John Swift was apprentice to Thomas Langford, William Paradise and Thomas Searle. He was free on 10th June, 1725. His first mark was entered between May and October 1728, with workshops in Staining Lane when this piece was made. His work appears to have been chiefly hollow ware, tankards, coffee pots and teapots with an attractive repertoire of the Rococo on some pieces. His work is mainly of very fine quality in terms of design and production.
Height: 4.8 inches, 12 cm.
Length, handle to spout: 8.1 inches, 20.25 cm.
Weight: 14oz.
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![](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.marycooke.co.uk/british-silver-1649-1759/a-very-fine-george-ii-bullet-teapot-made-in-london-in-1734-by-john-swift&media=https://seek-unique-co.s3.amazonaws.com/marycooke-8876-Qfhef-OE67/stock/642b275b2a99e_image_url_rpl120a.jpg&description=The "Bullet" shaped Teapot is one of the best known shapes of the George II period and this represents an early example of its form. This very fine teapot has a globular shaped main body which stands on a cast and applied foot, decorated with reeding. The facetted, cast, straight spout has a moulded lip and displays a triple drop at its base. Twelve strainer holes are pierced on the interior of the main body, where the spout is attached. The facetted and scalloped handle sockets are attached to the main body and the fruitwood scroll handle. The circular flat cover is attached to the main body with a flush three part hinge. The finial consists of a cast and applied spool shaped moulding, a removable flattened wooden ball, and a silver bolt with a cast baluster top, secured by an interior wing nut. The Teapot is of the finest quality, as would be expected from this maker. It is in quite excellent condition and has a very good colour. It is fully marked in the foot and with the sterling mark on the inside of the cover. The front is engraved with a contemporary Armorial, surrounded by a trellis and foliate scroll work cartouche The Arms are those of Isham (with a Baronet's badge) impaling Wood for Sir Edmund Isham, 6th Baronet (1690-1772) of Lamport, Northamptonshire. He was educated at Rugby School and Wadham College Oxford and embarked on a legal career, becoming an advocate in Doctors' Commons (1724) and a judge advocate in the Court of Admiralty ( 1731-41). He married Elizabeth Wood, daughter of Edward Wood of Littleton, in 1735. She died in 1748 and he remarried in 1751.He unexpectedly became Baronet of Lamport on 5th March, 1737, when his older brother died young. He was elected a few days later on 31st March, 1737, to his brother's seat in Parliament as the Tory member of Parliament for Northamptonshire, and ran unopposed each successive term after that for the rest of his life. He died on 15th December, 1772, with no issue, and was succeeded as baronet by his nephew Justinian Isham.John Swift was apprentice to Thomas Langford, William Paradise and Thomas Searle. He was free on 10th June, 1725. His first mark was entered between May and October 1728, with workshops in Staining Lane when this piece was made. His work appears to have been chiefly hollow ware, tankards, coffee pots and teapots with an attractive repertoire of the Rococo on some pieces. His work is mainly of very fine quality in terms of design and production.Height: 4.8 inches, 12 cm.Length, handle to spout: 8.1 inches, 20.25 cm.Weight: 14oz.){kind=link}