A CHINESE YIXING 'THREE FRIENDS OF WINTER' TEAPOT AND COVER QING DYNASTY The body moulded to imitate bamboo, prun and pine, decorated with blossoming branches and an assortment of scurrying rats, the handle and spout fashioned as sturdy branches, the lid of octagonal design with a single articulated rat poking through the top, the base bearing a seven character description reading Ming yuan zhi guiyou dingyue, 16.7cm. (2) Provenance: from a deceased estate, Cheshire. PLEASE NOTE THIS LOT IS TO BE OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE