British Vases and Vessels

A dark brown-glazed pearlware bough pot with pierced cover and applied decoration, made by Wedgwood circa 1785. The development of a whiteware body had been a goal of ceramicists ac...

This is a vintage port decanter. An English, cut glass and silver spirit bottle, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1950. A refined and elegant decanter, enhanced with an antique ...

This is an antique Sherry decanter. An English, glass and silver plated spirit bottle, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. Tall profile and fine...

Brutalist ceramic vase by Bernard Rooke, England, 1970s. In 1960 he set up his own workshop in Forest Hill, London. Progressive designs were readily accepted in London at that time, ...

LARGE Antique English Planter Cachepot Black Metal Lacquer SHELL Decoupage c1890. Direct from southern England, a superb one-of-a-kind antique...

An English exhibition-quality glass and enamel vase, circa 1860. This highly decorative, large exhibition-quality enamelled glass vase is a superb example. The vase is made from pa...

Cameo glass.

Paper mache vessel commissioned for use on a film set. Convincingly done, now lots of fun. British 1990s H 97cm x ø 50cm

Spode Imari Japan Pattern 967 Bone China Spill Vases, Pair, Circa 1810 Description This handsome pair of small bone china vases is of trumpet form, the flaring body rising from a sh...

This striking Derby porcelain vase and cover is executed in the rare and elaborate Schneeballen (snowball) or May blossom style. The four-sided baluster body, with square neck and fo...

Antique early 19th century English George III Coalport porcelain neoclassical cachepot or jardiniere, circa 1810. Decorated with an overall harlequin pattern of diamonds and large pa...

This extraordinary First Edition Wedgwood rendering of the legendary Portland Vase is one of the rarest masterpieces of Josiah Wedgwood, the most important ceramics manufacturer of the 18th century. A tour de force of ceramic art, the Portland Vase First Editions are regarded as one of the greatest ceramic accomplishments of the 18th century, and they are a testament to the superior skill of Josiah Wedgwood, his extraordinary ambition and his tireless dedication to perfection. One of the very few First Editions still in private hands, this exceptional Wedgwood Portland Vase is one of the most important works of ceramics on the market. The story of Wedgwood and the Portland Vase is legendary. The original Portland Vase is the ancient world's most famous decorative arts masterpiece—a cameo glass vase dating to circa 25 CE with a frieze representing the myth of Peleus and Thetis, initially thought to be carved from stone. When it was first rediscovered around 1582, it captivated the world with its opaque white cameo figures over its rich blue background. After the vase was excavated it was owned by Cardinal Barberini, whose family later sold it to the Duke of Hamilton who eventually sold it to the Duchess of Portland, from whom the famed vase now takes its name. The famed British sculptor John Flaxman was likely the first to have brought the vase to Wedgwood’s attention. In a letter dated February 5, 1784, he wrote: “I wish you may soon come to town to see William Hamilton’s vase, it is the finest production of Art that has been brought to England and seems to be the very apex of perfection to which you are endeavouring to bring your bisque and jasper…” Indeed, the Portland Vase is a masterpiece of cameo-cutting, with a stunning frieze of opaque white cameo glass over its translucent deep blue form. Its beauty and translucence would inspire Wedgwood to undertake his years-long endeavor to precisely replicate the original in porcelain. Upon closer examination, Wedgwood realized the vase was not made of stone or earthenware, but of cameo glass—a technique so advanced it remains the masterpiece of cameo-cutting. Today, the vase is housed in the British Museum, where it is the second most viewed antiquity, only after the Rosetta Stone. It then took Wedgwood several painstaking years to craft his unparalleled copy of the vase, during which he perfected the jasperware technique that would become his crowning achievement. To this day, the renowned porcelain firm regards the vase as its most momentous triumph, so much so that the vessel’s silhouette is incorporated into the Wedgwood logo. The four years it took Wedgwood to complete his vase were not without tribulations. From the start, Wedgwood encountered numerous problems with his copies, from cracking and blistering to the difficulty of replicating the translucent effects of the original. The first acceptable copy was produced in October 1789 and sent to Wedgwood’s physician and friend Erasmus Darwin, the grandfather of Charles Darwin. Wedgwood presented another copy to Queen Charlotte in May 1790 and afterward organized a private exhibition of the vase at the Portland House in London. The viewing proved so popular that Wedgwood was forced to restrict the show to 1,900 visitors. Much of London wished to see Wedgwood’s greatest major achievement. Perhaps the highest praise of Wedgwood’s copy came from the famed artist Sir Joshua Reynolds, the founder of the British Royal Academy: “I can venture to declare it a correct and faithful imitation, both in regard to the general effect, and the most minute detail of the part.” Over the next few years, Wedgwood's oven records listed 43 First Edition copies of the Portland Vase produced between 1791 and 1796, 11 of which were broken during the firing process. In all, it is believed around 30 First Edition vases were completed, though an unknown number of these were somewhat damaged—one of these imperfect examples is currently held by the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The perfect examples such as ours have found their way into the most important museum collections in the world. The British Museum (London), Art Institute of Chicago, Birmingham Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts (Boston) and the Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge, UK), among others, all hold one of these highly coveted vases in their collections. In terms of technical achievement, the First Edition Portland Vases...

A stunning and rare antique Doulton Burslem porcelain gourd shaped lidded jar decorated in the oriental taste and dating from around 1890. The jar is of squat rounded form standing o...

A beautiful polychromed urn with lid. Lots of nice colors.

Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1904 by William Devenport, this attractive, Antique, Edwardian, Sterling Silver Scent Bottle, features a hobnail cut round glass body, and an ornate silve...

A stoneware vessel by British studio ceramist John Ward (1938-2023) circa 1985. The flat shouldered vase is molded in a simple and elegant form with harmonious proportion. A small mo...

This antique perfume bottle is signed by an unknown English maker and dates to approximately 1898 and done in the period Victorian style. The bottle is done in sterling silver with a...

A large English Victorian period brass vessel from the late 19th century, with handle. Created in England during the reign of Queen Victoria...

A stunning cache pot or planter with an incredible patina. The piece is unique in shape and patina with Lions Head with rings and sliver coins shown throughout. A perfect setting f...

William Hutton. An Arts and Crafts pewter jug with four bullseye Ruskin jewels inset into the lid, with a back stop when opened, and geometric decoration to the main body with a flar...

A Doulton Lambeth Silicon Ware vase, made in the late 19th century in the Arts & Crafts style. Doulton Lambeth introduced its Silicon...

Royal Winton - Grimwades - 'Gordon' - Vintage gold glazed candy dish with lid - transfer and impressed marks on the base - United Kingdom - circa 1...

Finest quality and rare brilliant cut glass and sterling silver lay down perfume bottle/vial. Top of repoussé sterling silver by Alexander Clar...

Luscious cranberry glass vase on clear pedestal foot, English, circa 1900. The opening of the tulip-shaped bowl is smooth, and could be used as a serving piece when entertaining or t...

Royal Doulton, England Art nouveau vase, 1920s. Slender, tall chamotte vase with blue and white hues, decorated with characteristic Art nouveau style ornaments in relief. Origin: En...

Unusual pair of antique Victorian quality Bretby vases having a quality crane bird standing on a green grass base next to a green bamboo tree in wonderful hand painted colours A ch...

Beautiful timeless piece of ceramics by Kingston Pottery UK.

19th Century Oversized Twin-Handled Dairy Jug – English Heritage Craftsmanship --- This wonderful oversized twin-handled 19th-century dairy jug embodies th...

Hallmarked in London in 1891 by William Comyns, this exquisite antique Victorian sterling silver and glass scent bottle has a globular f...

An octagonal constructed mahogany brass band Georgian design peat bucket with circular grip loop handle and fitted brass liner. Please note we are currently working to a 30-36 week ...

Exquisite pair of Wedgwood Ordinary lustre baluster vases by Daisy Makeig-Jones. Circa 1915. Dominated by dramatic gilded exotic crested birds on an incredibly rich royal blue mottle...

This is a small vintage decorative posy vase. An English, ceramic flower baluster by Moorcroft, dating to the late 20th century. Dashing colour and eye-catching finish Displays a...

Large English Victorian Hunt Scene Jardiniere Circa 1890. Decorated with hound dogs with a deer. Dogs heads handles. 19.5 by 8.5 inches.

A very pretty amethyst coloured inverted dimple vase English c.1930’s in the style of Whitefriars. Great gift idea and collectable.

This exceptional blown and cut glass decanter is the pinnacle of regency cutting. The base decorated with sixteen ostrich feathers, arranged around a diamond ring. The body embellish...

Lilac ground. Each encircled by frieze of classical figures beneath floral swags, the largest flanked by serpent handles with mask terminal and Cupid finial, impressed WEDGWOOD, MADE...

Signed Clyne Farquarson Leaf Pattern Biscuit Barrel for John Walsh Additional information: Date : Late 1930s Origin : Birmingham, England Bowl Features : cylindrical; engraved ...

A remarkable example of Josiah Wedgwood's legendary ceramic art, the importance and rarity of this urn vase simply cannot be overstated. Black basalt refers to the fine-grained stoneware developed by Josiah Wedgwood in the 1760s that was inspired by the hard, natural stone known as Egyptian basalt...

Pair Antique Wedgwood Bone China Blue Urns with Brass Handles and Base. Signed and in ready to show condition. Smaller sized, highly detailed.

Pair of Wedgwood dark blue and white jasperware vases. Insides of vases have a shiny glazed finish. 6” tall x 5.5” across top x 4.5” across bottom. ...

Victorian sterling silver trophy cup. Made by John Hunt in London in 1897. Girdled urn with shield-mounted and leaf-capped flying scroll side handles; domed foot. Traditional Neoclas...

A Pair of Royal Worcester Porcelain Vases, signed by William Ricketts  with date codes for 1924 and puce printed marks. They feature bottle shaped form with flared necks, painted wi...

This is a very rare and large Covered Vase by Mason's Ironstone pottery, England, dating to the Late Georgian Regency period , circa 1825. This piece is very well potted with a vertically fluted body sat on a low foot with two substantial handles either side. The domed lid has six small air holes in it and a large knob...

Classic pair of Georgian sterling silver master salts with a graceful oval form and standing on plain oval spread foot. Each salt has a pair of reeded loop handles. The tops of the s...

A rare Bretby Art Nouveau high fired ‘flambe’ glazed art pottery vase by Henry Tooth & Co and dating from 1900-1910. This exquisite simple shaped bulbous vase stands on a narrow roun...

Decorated with mauve, plum and blue blossoms against a cobalt ground.

Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre trumpet vase decorated in the Butterfly Women pattern. This pattern features winged and robed female figures, perched in a blossoming tree. The interior of ...

This is an ironstone Vase in the blue Hawthorne and fence and bowl pattern, made by Mason's Ironstone of Lane Delph, Staffordshire, England, during the first half of the 19th century...

Step into the refined elegance of the 19th century with our English Silver-Plated Three-Handled Cup Vase, perched upon a round footed base. This exquisite piece is a testament to the...

A blue ground pilgrim flask-shaped vase by famed English designer Christopher Dresser for Minton, circa 1870s. The foliage motif was most likely hand-painted by William Mussill...

This is a vintage claret decanter. An English, cut crystal glass spirit vessel, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970. A fine decanter with an appealing appearance Displaying ...

This antique planter is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from England and date to approximately 1890 and done in the period Art Nouveau style. The planter is composed of Maj...

An elegant Arts & Crafts style silver pedestal bowl, by renowned silversmiths Nathan & Hayes. The bowl features a striking lobed design, both to the body and foot, creating a bold ye...

A Royal Worcester porcelain “variety” vase, made in 1876 in the japonisme style. The forced opening of Japan to trade in 1854 led to a craze for E...

Walker & Hall Attributed Art Nouveau Silverplate and Cut Glass Perfume Bottle, England, circa 1905 An exceptional English Art Nouveau perfume bottle, circa 1905, attributed to Walker & Hall. The hinged silver-plated lid is surmounted by a figural bust of a flowing-haired maiden, her hair pierced and stylized in an undulating manner strongly reminiscent of Gustav Klimt and the Viennese Secessionist aesthetic. This sensuous Art Nouveau nymph...

Rare example of an early English Chinoiserie Masons Ironstone China twin gilt handled Vase of compact proportions decorated in the Japan “Fence P...

This is a very rare, highly individual and very decorative, very large Lidded Vase in the Chinoiserie style with applied dragons, made by Mason's Ironst...

A Wedgwood Fairyland lustre vase designed by Daisy Makeig-Jones ca. 1920 and decorated with the 'Castle on a Road' pattern. Daisy Makeig-Jones is best known for the Fairyland Lustre...

A fine pair of Victorian clear crystal tapered decanters or carafes finely hand-engraved with elegant motivs, with its original hand-faceted rock crystal tall stoppers, England, circ...

'Achromatic Fold in Black II' is a unique sculptural vessel by the British artist Steven Edwards. Steven Edwards is a ceramic artist whose work investigates the language of making t...