Pair of Copeland Potpourri Vases, Parian Putti Squeezing Grapes, 1891

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Pair of Copeland Potpourri Vases, Parian Putti Squeezing Grapes, 1891

About the Item

This is a stunning pair of two lidded potpourri vases made by Copeland in 1891. Potpourri vases were used in the 19th century to fill with scented materials to freshen up the air inside the home. These vases have outstanding bases with parian putti (or cherubs) squeezing grapes. Copeland Spode was one of the most prominent potteries right from the start of English porcelain production in the late 1700s to the demise of the industry in the 1960s. In fact it was the founder Josiah Spode who was responsible for the recipe for bone china that made English china production so successful in the two centuries to come. Their items are of exceptionally high quality and many of the designs have become iconic. In the 19th century, Spode first partnered with salesman and tea trader William Copeland, who later bought the Spode family out and continued the factory into a new area of successful design and innovation. The factory changed names frequently, always involving the name Spode, Copeland or both. These potpourri vases are from the period when the factory identified itself as Copeland. These two potpourri vases were made in 1891 from two different kinds of porcelain: The lids, bodies and feet are made of bone china, and the putti at the stems are made of parian porcelain. It was Thomas Battam, the Art Director of Copeland, who first developed the recipe for what came to be known as "Parian" porcelain. Figures had always been glazed because British biscuit porcelain tended to get dirty when left exposed. In Germany they brought out beautiful unglazed hard porcelain figures though and Battam decided to find a recipe that could achieve the same in Britain. He developed a hard vitreous porcelain that is ideal for making figures, and as soon as it had been brought out in 1844-1846, Minton copied it and called it "Parian", after the Greek island Paros, which is where the Greeks got their marble from for their famous figures. These potpourris consist of a body, glazed and very finely painted with flower arrangements and musical instruments and scrolls, pierced reticulated and gilded lids, sturding feet and of course the beautiful putti or cherubs, who busy themselves with squeezing grapes. The items are screwed together and marked on the base. Condition report: In fabulous condition without any damage, repairs or significant wear other than some very slight rubbing. There are some small firing imperfections on the underside of the base, which are from production and have no impact on the items. Antique British porcelain is never perfect. Kilns were fired on coal in the 1800s and this meant that china from that period can have some firing specks from flying particles. British makers were also known for their experimentation and sometimes this resulted in technically imperfect results. Due to the shrinkage in the kiln, items can have small firing lines or develop crazing over time, which should not be seen as damage but as an imperfection of the maker's recipes, probably unknown at the time of making. Items have often been used for many years and can have normal signs of wear and gilt can have signs of slight disintegration even if never handled. I will reflect any damage, repairs, obvious stress marks, crazing or heavy wear in the item description but some minor scratches, nicks, stains and gilt disintegration can be normal for vintage items and need to be taken into account. There is widespread confusion on the internet about the difference between chips and nicks or hairlines and cracks. I will reflect any damage as truthfully as I can, i.e. a nick is a tiny bit of damage smaller than 1 mm and a chip is something you can easily see with the eye; a glazing line is a break in the glazing only, hairline is extremely tight and/or superficial and not picked up by the finger and a crack is obvious both to the eye and the finger. Dimensions: 33 cm (13") high, 15 cm (6") wide.

Creator:
Copeland (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 13 in (33.02 cm)Width: 6 in (15.24 cm)Length: 13 in (33.02 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Style:
Late Victorian (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Porcelain,Molded
Place of Origin:
England
Period:
1890-1899
Date of Manufacture:
1891
Condition:
Excellent condition without any damage or repairs, only very light rubbing.
Seller Location:
London, GB
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU4805115843091