Measham teapot

This is a copy of a Measham or Bargeware teapot. Working boatmen bringing narrowboats past Measham on the Ashby Canal in the East Midlands would order a specially-made teapot and collect it on their next run up the canal. They were often given to their mothers, or their sweethearts as wedding presents and they were handed down through generations of the same family. My friend has a full-sized original teapot which stands about 40cms tall and would probably hold enough tea for a family of 8 - 10. It is the one possession of hers that I drool over and she says she will leave it to me in her will. I'm not holding my breath on that though as I think she will out live me!