This cylindrical spill vase decorated with stylised wing and bone shapes is based on earlier designs Christopher dresser made for the 1867 Exposition Universelle, Paris. The decoration for this vase appears in the Fewster pattern-books in the V&A collection (E. 1488 to 99-1987) dating from 1861-8. These books were used by Dresser to note his designs and as a record of his work, in particular for the major exhibitions. Dresser was inspired by a wide range of historic and international prototypes, including Gothic, Japanese, Chinese, Peruvian and Egyptian. Dresser drew from all these sources to produce something quite original. The unusual pattern design on this vase is based on wing bones of birds and fins of fish, the complicated overlapping pattern effect is in stark contrast to the simple form of the vase. Dresser was fascinated by geometry and applied a scientific interest in colour and proportions in his designs. Dresser wrote ‘I have sought to embody chiefly the one idea of power, energy, force or vigour’ (Technical Educator, 1870-2). Here the play between the angular decoration and circular vase provides extra interest in the form.