This vase is a rare and undocumented shape, produced by the Chelsea porcelain factory during their celebrated 'Gold Anchor' period (1756-1769). The form and the ground colour are based on Chinese celadon vases, showing the global design influence on Chelsea porcelain during the middle of the 18th century. The so-called ‘pea-green’ ground colour was a new invention of the early Gold Anchor period and made a significant impact on the market for English porcelain, contributing to the perception of the Chelsea factory's innovation in this field. The unique colouring of their wares was advertised triumphantly in the Public Advertiser in 1759 as ‘Pieces of the Pea Green and Gold, never before exhibited’. This particular vase may correspond to those listed in an auction sale by the Chelsea factory in 1761 as: ‘35 Two fine high scollopped bottles, of the pea-green ground, enamelled with birds, and gilt ornament’.

A vase of this form also features in a portrait of the Chelsea factory founder Nicholas Sprimont (1716-71), wife Ann Sprimont and his sister-in-law Susannah Protin. The vase appears along with a number of others in various states of decoration, emphasising the varied and elaborate techniques and shapes that were being produced during the Gold Anchor period. The small ‘pea-green’ vase in this painting is still a ‘work-in-progress’, it has gone through some firing stages and has its distinctive ground colour, but it has yet to be painted with birds and flowers, and it has not gone through the final gilding stage.