A "les Oies De Frère Philippe" Grisaille Teapot - China, 18th Qianlong Period

A large porcelain teapot with grisaille decoration of “Brother Philippe’s Geese”
China, 18th century
Qianlong period (1736–1795)

Height : 13,7cm
Length : 18cm

The “Brother Philippe’s Geese” motif is executed in grisaille after an engraving by Nicolas IV de Larmessin (1684–1755), itself derived from a painting by Nicolas Lancret, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (Accession no. 2004.86). For the Larmessin engraving, see the Musée du Louvre catalogue entry, no. 6553 LR/Recto, titled Les Oies du frère Philippe.

This scene is inspired by Jean de La Fontaine’s fable Les Oyes de Frère Philippe, a tale deriving ultimately from The Decameron (Filostrato, Day IV).

While the motif is relatively common on plates, it is much rarer on three‑dimensional forms such as teapots.

For a comparable motif on a plate, see :
- F. and N. Hervouët and Y. Bruneau, La porcelaine des Compagnie des Indes à décor occidental, 1986, p. 199, fig. 9.13.

There is slight distortion to the cover resulting from the firing process and wear to the gilding, with very minor enamel loss at the rim; otherwise in excellent condition.

Further images and information available upon request.