British Vases and Vessels

PAIR of English Victorian cobalt blue porcelain and gilt trim floral design vases with asymmetrical handles (Royal Crown Derby) (PRICED AS PAIR)

Good. RESTORATION. A few filled chips to the rim. Filled chip to foot. Filled chip to head-dress.

Late 19th century English porcelain cachepot with landscape decoration. Measurements: Height 8.5" Length 20.5" Width 13.5".

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...

Fitted traveling case with original hand blown gilt decorated bottles with the original crimson brocade cover, late 18th century. The case retains the original working lock and key o...

Rare figurative stoneware sculptured vessel by British studio ceramicist Marylyn Hyde, circa 1970s-1980s. Depicting a female mythological figure — possibly Venus or Medusa, rendered...

Elegant blown glass perfume bottle by Isle of Wight Studio Glass. The spherical body displays a stunning green and blue decoration, enriched with iridescent swirls and delicate golde...

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

English Victorian brass jardiniere standing on 3 legs and having 2 ring handles

‘Earthly Treasures No 35’ is a unique sculptural bowl by the British artist, Morrison Thomas. It is made from horse chestnut burr inlaid with malachite, azurite, chrysocolla, native ...

Pair of Large English Decoupage Chinoiserie Glass Vases The pair is formed as large baluster form glass vases with a broad circular foot rising to a rounded body, narrowing at the ...

Rare, English 19th-century brass jardinière with beautiful etchings and hand-crafted details, floral motifs, coat of arms, chunky ornate lion head ring-handles, and a trio paw-foot ...

English Victorian brass double fish design vase.

This listing features a pair of Rococo style vases that are a beautiful cobalt color with depictions of two pairs of adorable cherubs. There are so many little details on these vases...

Blue and white floral pottery covered pil and cover, Vera pottery, circa 1900-1930. The cylindrical pail with exterior knob handles has a reeded lowe...

This is a vintage Scotch decanter. An English, cut glass whiskey vessel with sterling silver collar, dating to the mid 20th century, hallmarked in 1965....

Set of 7 bottles for liquor or whisky, with lids Underneath the mark "liquor bottle Scotland" with numbers Glasses not broken, 2 lids missing Very nice decorative set Height: 23...

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 English porcelain vase. Made in 1900 by George Grainger & Company, a subsidiary of Royal Worcester from 1889 - 1902. With painted floral decor...

19th Century English pink Majolica Strawberries Jardiniere Minton.

Stunning blown glass perfume bottle by the renowned Isle of Wight Studio Glass. This piece features a rich decoration of gold leaf accents, flowing blue trails, and swirling multicol...

Oriental Opulence: A Rare Pair of Victorian Chinoiserie Tôle Tea Canisters This impressive pair of large English Chinoiserie tôle tea canisters and covers, dating from circa 1840–18...

A rare variation of mid-century British art glass, this ruby red glass vase was made by Whitefriars Glass, England, circa 1950s. Blown in their signature deep red glass, the piece ...

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

Regency Opulence: Mason's Ironstone Garniture Vases Object: Garniture of Three Vases (One central, two flanking) Manufacturer: Mason's Ironstone China, Staffordshire, England Date: ...

Garniture of Three English Flower-Encrusted Porcelain Vases, c.1850 (probably Samuel Alcock & Co.) A decorative early-Victorian garniture of three English porcelain vases, unmarked and probably by Samuel Alcock & Co., c.1845–55. The modelling (flared, scalloped rims; quatrefoil feet with gilt sprigging; pierced scroll handles) and the palette of the painted oval landscape reserves are consistent with Alcock’s work of the period. The elaborate applied blossoms and leaves are in the Coalbrookdale...

An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique Edwardian sterling silver Art Nouveau vases; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection. These exceptional antique Edwar...

Harlequin white and the palest of blue stripes, decorate both this bottle and it's extraordinary spiral stopper This is an exceptional piece from the renowned glass artist, Mike Hunt...

Lovely 18th century Georgian lidded jar or condiment pot hand carved and turned from a beautiful piece of yew wood. Rich and warm patina from age and use...

Antique pair of Locke & Co. porcelain blush ivory spill vases in the form of three lily flowers. Exquisite design and colours in perfect condition. ...

A rare and elegant early 19th century English decorative glass vase, produced in London and decorated using the decalomania technique popular during the early Victorian period. The v...

English Regency Warwick Vase in polished steel. A handsome rendition of the famous Roman original. After it's excavation from Hadrian's Villa in the late 18th century it caused a sen...

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...

This small Chameleon Ware urn vase by George Clews & Co was produced in Staffordshire, England during the 1930s and presents one of the manufacturer's most recognizable decorative ce...

An Arts and Crafts copper and hand wrought iron conical flower vase.

English porcelain tulip vase, circa 1840.

Lovely English late victorian three tier garden plant stand or jardiniere. The stand features an iron frame decorated with wire basket borders. Excellent joinery and craftsmanship wi...

This Late Victorian English Arts & Crafts Royal Doulton Lambeth stoneware amphora by Frank A. Butler was done in Pattern no. 960. This twin-handled vessel is decorated with a mottled...

This is a heavy antique chemist's mortar. An English, cast iron decorative planter pot, dating to the mid Georgian period, circa 1750. Fascinatingly weathered Georgian mortar Displa...

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...

A late 19th Century English repousse' copper bowl with foliage motif and original patina. Measurements: Height: 23" Diameter: 21.5"

having a pivoting central handle and a back loop for pouring out of the front spout, retaining a nice patina, with a copper shovel included

The rounded body is decorated in shimmering green and blue tones with colourful speckles, enhanced by delicate golden and iridescent highlights. Its frosted spherical stopper complet...

This Michael Harris Azurene art glass vase for Isle of Wight Studio Glass, designed in England in 1978, is a distinctive example of British studio glass from one of the workshop’s mo...

'Pulse' is a unique glass artwork by the Canadian artist, Michèle Oberdieck. Michèle Oberdieck explores balance and asymmetry through colour, form and surface decoration. Presenting...

A beautiful antique centerpiece vase. The base is made of bronze, there are three insertable chalices, made of vaseline glass. The glass has a beautiful gradient color, from pink to ...

19th Century English Derby porcelain urn.

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...

Old Blue & White Hand Painted Oval Porcelain Faience Footbath with Ornate Faux Carved Lion Head Handles and Resting on Carved "Paw" Feet. From England.

Antique Empire England Urn. This deep sienna piece feature 24 carat gold plated handles and fine floral patterns across all surfaces. These 1930s hand made urns set has been carefully kept and is still in great condition. The scene is of 4 women. Measures 15 inches tall and about 7 wide for the pair of...

A very nice MCM style flat porcelain vase with inlaid glazed geometric design by Jessie Higginson, circa 2000s. The piece is in very good vintage cond...

Graduating copper canister with lid silver linning with brass base and bakelite handle , circa 1940's original finish and patina.

Amber-colored glass vase attributed to Seguso or Barovier. Good condition. Thank you.

Scottish Apothecary Amethyst Glass Bottles A matched pair of Scottish apothecary display bottles in deeply saturated amethyst (blackberry) glass, made in the classic globular “shop ...

Elegant studio glass perfume bottle produced by Isle of Wight Glass, England, circa 1970s. This refined piece features a rounded baluster form in translucent turquoise glass, richly ...

Hallmarked in London in 1889 by Susannah Brasted, this magnificent antique Victorian sterling silver vase has a large trumpet-shaped form. The body is embellished with striking chase...

This is a rare ironstone vase, made by the Mason's factory in the early 19th century. The vase is hexagonal in section with a baluster shape and two salamander handles, one either...

This antique hand-crafted art pottery vase was done by the renowned Martin Brothers factory of England, in approximately 1890 in the period Aesthetic Movement style. The vase is done...

A fine antique English Aesthetic Period porcelain vase. By Royal Worcester. With an ivory porcelain ground. Painted with a central scene of a short-eared owl and its chick perche...

Pair of English, 1930s cobalt blue lidded urns. Gilt details. Measurements Height: 13" Diameter: 8.5"