Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 139, The Curtain Foundation Gallery

Pot Pourri Vase

ca. 1820 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Cylindrical vase of square form, with a flared neck and spreading foot. On either side are gilded handles in the form of grotesque animal heads. Around the leg and foot is a bead border outlined in gilt. On either side of the central section the vase is painted with a tree on which sits an exotic bird and a parrot; groups of roses and other flowers are painted alongside in blue, yellow, brown, orange, pink and black enamels. The whole of the background of the scene is painted with a fern pattern in mauve. Below this is a formal gilt pattern. The base of the vase is pierced with three circular holes. The inner liner of the vase is plain with square knob and is decorated with gilt lines. The outer cover is decorated with a fern pattern in mauve, and butterflies and moths in red, blue, yellow and black enamels. There is a formal gold pattern around the edge and the lid is pierced with eight circular holes. The knob of the lid, has badly damaged, is in the form of a seated gilt greyhound. There is a ring of beading around his feet.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Pot Pourri Vase
  • Cover
  • Cover
Materials and techniques
Bone china, painted in enamel colours and gilt
Brief description
Pot pourri vase, cover and outer cover, bone china painted in enamel colours and gilt, Davenport & Co., England (Longport), ca. 1820
Physical description
Cylindrical vase of square form, with a flared neck and spreading foot. On either side are gilded handles in the form of grotesque animal heads. Around the leg and foot is a bead border outlined in gilt. On either side of the central section the vase is painted with a tree on which sits an exotic bird and a parrot; groups of roses and other flowers are painted alongside in blue, yellow, brown, orange, pink and black enamels. The whole of the background of the scene is painted with a fern pattern in mauve. Below this is a formal gilt pattern. The base of the vase is pierced with three circular holes. The inner liner of the vase is plain with square knob and is decorated with gilt lines. The outer cover is decorated with a fern pattern in mauve, and butterflies and moths in red, blue, yellow and black enamels. There is a formal gold pattern around the edge and the lid is pierced with eight circular holes. The knob of the lid, has badly damaged, is in the form of a seated gilt greyhound. There is a ring of beading around his feet.
Dimensions
  • With lid and dog knob height: 14.8cm
  • Diameter: 10.2cm
Marks and inscriptions
'DAVENPORT, LONGPORT' (Maker's mark, painted in red enamel)
Credit line
Given by Miss E.S. Briggs in memory of Mrs L.K. Briggs and Miss E. Southard
Subjects depicted
Collection
Accession number
C.21 to B-1972

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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