What Is This Unique English Tea Set Called?

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The discussion centers around an English tea set designed in the shape of a granny or nanny, which is missing its music box. The owner seeks to identify the tea set and find a replacement part. The tea set is marked "Made in England" but lacks a manufacturer's mark, leading to questions about its origin and value. Participants share insights about similar tea sets, including one from Burslem, England, which dates back to the 1940s and has a market value of around $130. The conversation touches on the aesthetic appeal of figural teapots, with some expressing a preference for simpler designs. There is speculation about whether the three pieces of the set, each with different painter's marks, were originally sold together or as separate items. Overall, the discussion highlights the tea set's sentimental value and its connection to family history, while also exploring its collectible nature.
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(Apparently I have acquired a bit of a reputation for asking odd questions...)

I have come into possession of an English tea set that is in the form of a brightly coloured granny or nanny. It looks like this:
http://cache.tias.com/stores/danicasantiques/pictures/nt14a.jpg"

Can anyone tell me what it is called?

It is missing its musicbox and I'd like to see if I can find a replacement. No luck on ebay at least until I can call it by name.

Thanks.
 
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Does it have a maker's mark on the bottom?
 
It has painter's marks. (In fact, I have *three* pieces that form a set - each piece is marked differently).

These are not manufacturer's marks. There do not appear to be any, though it does say Made in England.
 
I love tea pots but whenever they're made to resemble something they become grotesque. I only like them when they're fairly plain, and don't look like anything but a tea pot.
 
MY wife is an antique collector, as was her mother. Her mother died 30 years ago when my wife was but a teen. All her mother's possessions were scattered to the four winds - as were her children. After thirty years AWOL, this tea set - the one most coveted by my wife - has been found in a box belonging to a virtual stranger of the family, and brought home.

OK, maybe TMI there. But not really so much about the objective aesthetic value here...
 
Here's an identical mold of the teapot except it's painted an ugly green.

Is the mold of yours exactly like the picture you show or only similar? I may be able to track it down for you.

What are the painter's marks?

http://www.rubylane.com/ni/shops/victoriasjems/iteml/02484#pic1
 
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The Sarah Gump{granny} tea pot sells for 130.00 dollars in Michigan. They were made in and around Burslem England, up until the 1940's.
 
I don't know if Forest Gump would approve of the selling of that family heirloom.
 
Evo said:
Is the mold of yours exactly like the picture you show or only similar?
Identical - except this one is coloured like in my original OP.
Evo said:
What are the painter's marks?
See attached.
 
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  • #10
Let me see if I can track the stamp down.

Here is another link to the icky green version it's from Burslem, England. I also found a "made in Japan" version of your teapot.

http://pages.rosemarysantiqueshop.com/9039/PictPage/1921681663.html

hypatia, do you recognize that stamp?
 
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  • #11
Ive seen her painted in a lot of different ways...but that green, makes poor Granny look ill! I've bought and sold several of them over the years, figural tea pots are always popular.
 
  • #12
It looks like the sort of heirloom that has a curse on it.
 
  • #13
"Don't drink tea from Granny: it'll make you see the day of your death."
 
  • #14
Is the fact that there is no maker's mark an indication that this is not from a prestigious manufacturer?

Also, is the fact that the three marks are all different an indication that these 3 pieces were not originally part of the same set?
 
  • #15
Prestigious..perhaps not, but still nicely made. Large potteries like Woods and Sadler, had a bunch of ladies who painted the glazes. I'd give good odds that they were not sold as sets, but offered as matching accessories.
 
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