19th Century Italian Cantagalli Majollica Squat Teapot with Serpant Handle

An exceptional late 19th-century Italian majolica (faience) low-profile squat teapot by the celebrated Ulisse Cantagalli manufactory in Florence, Italy (c. 1880–1910). Rendered in full Renaissance Revival fashion, this compressed globular teapot features a remarkable molded and hand-painted serpent/snake handle, whose tail wraps delicately onto the shoulder of the pot. The body and lid are beautifully decorated with hand-painted polychrome floral blooms and scrolling foliate vines against a creamy tin-glazed ground. Finished with a molded acorn finial and a flared spout. Fully marked to the underside with the authentic hand-painted blue Cantagalli cockerel (gallo) mark. Condition Very good, glaze bright , just very tiny glaze loss on tip of spout.