A Foley intarsio teapot modelled as Joseph Chamberlain

Birmingham interest: A Foley 'Intarsio' teapot modelled as Joseph Chamberlain. The cover printed with a monocled portrait, his arms forming the handle and spout, flanking a portly body with green jacket, brown trousers and shoes, black printed marks and Rd No 363131 beneath, 7.75" long x 4.5" high, (19.5cm x 11.5cm) (cover rebuilt), together with a 19th century majolica teapot with Whieldon-style green, yellow and brown glazes, the cover surmounted by a seated figure, impressed 36 beneath, 5", (13cm) high, (2).

Joseph Chamberlain (1836-1914) was elected Mayor of Birmingham successively in 1873, 1874 and 1875, during which time he radically improved the city's gas and water supply, as well as clearing slums, building libraries, parks and schools (helping to found the University of Birmingham). In national politics he was also President of the Board of Trade and Secretary of State of the Colonies. He is buried at Key Hill Cemetery, Birmingham. His son Neville was also elected Mayor of Birmingham in 1915, before more famously becoming Prime Minister in 1937.