Perfume Vase
Vase
c.1762-68 (made)
c.1762-68 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Perfume vases (also known as 'essence pots' and pot-pourri vases) were set out on chimneypieces and other domestic furnishings. They were filled with pot-pourri (perfumed or sweet-smelling leaves) similar to those used to sweeten the air today. Perfume vases of this design are recorded as being sold singly, but were also made in pairs.
Trading
Three vases of this kind were among the stock of Chelsea porcelain sold at a London auction in 1770. One, possibly this vase, was described as 'one large pot pourie vase and cover; on a pedestal, mazarine blue and gold, decorated with Cupids and garlands of flowers. This reached £13 15s, while those with crimson grounds fetched only £8 and £7 17s. Another vase of this design was probably included in an auction of 1771. According to the marked-up copy of the catalogue, this fetched the remarkable sum of £63.
People
This vase, which has panels painted with children representing the Elements, is believed to have been one of a pair owned by George IV. He is said to have given the companion vase, painted with children representing the Seasons, to John Bridge of Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, the London firm of goldsmiths.
Perfume vases (also known as 'essence pots' and pot-pourri vases) were set out on chimneypieces and other domestic furnishings. They were filled with pot-pourri (perfumed or sweet-smelling leaves) similar to those used to sweeten the air today. Perfume vases of this design are recorded as being sold singly, but were also made in pairs.
Trading
Three vases of this kind were among the stock of Chelsea porcelain sold at a London auction in 1770. One, possibly this vase, was described as 'one large pot pourie vase and cover; on a pedestal, mazarine blue and gold, decorated with Cupids and garlands of flowers. This reached £13 15s, while those with crimson grounds fetched only £8 and £7 17s. Another vase of this design was probably included in an auction of 1771. According to the marked-up copy of the catalogue, this fetched the remarkable sum of £63.
People
This vase, which has panels painted with children representing the Elements, is believed to have been one of a pair owned by George IV. He is said to have given the companion vase, painted with children representing the Seasons, to John Bridge of Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, the London firm of goldsmiths.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Title | Perfume Vase (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Soft-paste porcelain, painted in enamels, with tooled and burnished gilding |
| Brief description | Porcelain vase on stand with cover, enamel painted flowers with gilt, made c. 1762-68 in Chelsea. |
| Physical description | PERFUME VASE or pot-pourri vase on stand with cover |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Gold Anchor |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
Elaborate burnished gilding was new to English porcelain when this vase was made. The gilding and the overall style of the piece were copied from French Sèvres porcelain. From about 1760, the leading English factories followed fashions set by Sèvres.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by Mr E. R. Cochrane, through The Art Fund |
| Object history | Made at the Chelsea porcelain factory, London. Another "Perfume Vase" at the British Museum, and another at the Huntington Art Gallery, San Marino, USA. One of a pair formerly owned by George IV is illustrated in Apollo, December 1934: See Object Information File. See J.V.G.Mallet, Chelsea Gold Anchor Vases, ECC Transactions, Vol.7, part 1, 1999, p.152 where the provenance, decoration, & Chelsea & Chelsea Derby Sale Catalogue entries are all discussed. Lent to the British Antiques Dealers' Association for the 'Antiques and Fine Art Fair', London, 21-27/3/01. |
| Summary | Object Type Perfume vases (also known as 'essence pots' and pot-pourri vases) were set out on chimneypieces and other domestic furnishings. They were filled with pot-pourri (perfumed or sweet-smelling leaves) similar to those used to sweeten the air today. Perfume vases of this design are recorded as being sold singly, but were also made in pairs. Trading Three vases of this kind were among the stock of Chelsea porcelain sold at a London auction in 1770. One, possibly this vase, was described as 'one large pot pourie vase and cover; on a pedestal, mazarine blue and gold, decorated with Cupids and garlands of flowers. This reached £13 15s, while those with crimson grounds fetched only £8 and £7 17s. Another vase of this design was probably included in an auction of 1771. According to the marked-up copy of the catalogue, this fetched the remarkable sum of £63. People This vase, which has panels painted with children representing the Elements, is believed to have been one of a pair owned by George IV. He is said to have given the companion vase, painted with children representing the Seasons, to John Bridge of Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, the London firm of goldsmiths. |
| Bibliographic reference | Mallet, J.V.G., 'Chelsea Gold Anchor Vases, I: The Forms', English Ceramic Circle Transactions, Vol.17, Part 1, 1999, p. 154, fig. 50 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.8:1 to 3-1996 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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