A Japanese Hirado porcelain teapot, Meiji period, 1868-1912, modelled as a small boy wearing a rice hat and holding a puppy its mouth forming the spout, the boy's robe with blue stylised clouds to the rear, height 21cm. Provenance: Woolley & Wallis, Lot 1118, 13th November 2018. From the collection of Edward and Julia Carter Preston, sold on behalf of The Hope Carter Preston Foundation, Liverpool. Edward Carter Preston (1885-1965) was a renowned Liverpool artist, sculptor and medalist, and his daughter Julia Carter Preston (1926-2012) was a successful potter.