The scene on this teapot is copied from an engraving by Sébastian LeClerc (1637-1714). In Greek mythology the beautiful Dirces (Dercetis) aroused the jealousy of Venus by falling in love with a priest. In shame, Dirces abandoned her daughter by the priest and, as we see, threw herself into a lake and turned into a fish. The silver spout is a later addition.