This teapot presents a combination of Famille Rose and Grisaille ornament, two decorative styles of Chinese export porcelain that were in high demand among 18th century wealthy Europeans. En grisaille refers to a style of monochromatic painting in shades of grey, used especially for the representation of relief sculpture or preparatory underpainting. This technique was used in Europe since the 12th century and adopted by Chinese ceramic painters around 1730, producing porcelain wares that were decorated with black line painting. To appeal to Western taste, the painters would copy scenes from European engravings and copper plate prints, and themes for these wares were often mythological or taken from classical antiquity. This teapot is decorated with black line painting, combined with floral ornaments in soft pink tones typical of the Famille Rose style.
