Images(6)

Vase

Dateca. 1755

Artist/Maker Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory (1745-1769)

OriginEngland, Middlesex, Chelsea

MediumPorcelain, Soft-paste

DimensionsH: 23 3/4"; W(between handles): 10 1/2"; Diam:(lip): 6 3/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1968-632,2

DescriptionTall, soft-paste porcelain vase with baluster-shaped body that extends to a long neck with spreading lip. Rococo style, scroll-shaped handles have been applied on either side of the body of the vase. This applied Rococo style molded decoration extends from the handles to the lip and to the base. The handles and scrolls have been highlighted with green and gilding. The vase is decorated with molded floral sprays in relief. There are two large sprays on the body of the vase and six smaller sprays on the neck (three on each side). All of the flowers have been painted with enamels. There are scattered, polychrome butterflies and insects painted on the vase. Around the lip and base, there are bands of gilding. There are lines of gilding on the neck.

Label TextThis pair of jars is representative of the largest forms produced at Chelsea. The flowers are molded in high relief and are in brilliant enamel colors. The insects painted on the flat surface sometimes hide imperfections and discolorations. These two vases are the only recorded examples with enamel decoration; three survive with only gilt to highlight the white rococo molding. All three white examples are marked with the red anchor. Four high jars, each in a separate lot, were sold in the 1755 sale. Three were listed as white, embossed with flowers and gilt. The other was "A most beautiful HIGH JARR enamell'd with flowers and richly gilt." A "high jar" or a "large jar" enameled with flowers appears several times in the 1756 sale catalog. Since embossing is not mentioned, one cannot be sure that the descriptions refer to jars like the ones in the CWF collection. A pair of gold anchor vases of the identical shape and size, decorated in gold on a mazarine blue ground, were formerly in Major Tapp's collection. If these vases are indeed from the same molds as the red anchor examples, as has been suggested, then the blocks were altered to remove the relief-molded flowers.
InscribedNo
MarkingsNo
ProvenanceEx. Coll: Frank Hurlbutt, Mold, Flintshire; F. Severne Mackenna, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire
Purchased from: Tilley & Co., London