This is one of two known extant examples of a teapot produced in anticipation of the accession of Prince Charles Edward Stuart, known as ‘the Young Pretender’ or Bonnie Prince Charlie. On the death of his father James Stuart, the ‘Old Pretender’, in 1766, Charles Edward Stuart assumed the title of Charles III in recognition of his claim to the throne.
This teapot belonged to the Byrom family who were known supporters of the Stuarts, particularly John Byrom (1692-1763). Based in the North of Manchester, this example formed part of a collection of Jacobite relics held within the family.The white rose decoration represented the Stuart family and was thus a symbol of the Jacobite cause.
The date and colouring of the pot suggest it was produced by Longton Hall porcelain factory in Staffordshire. The deep cobalt blue was termed ‘Littler-Wedgwood blue’ after Longton Hall potter William Littler and his brother-in-law and collaborator Aaron Wedgwood. Together they devised a salt glaze that produced a glossy smooth surface and the crawl-back of the glaze on the edges showing a lighter clay beneath was typical of their work.
