These highly unusual vases are notable for their incredibly large size, each standing impressively at over one metre in height. Of baluster form, the vases are identical save for the painted designs. Given their superb quality and size, it is highly possible they were exhibition pieces.
On each vase, the main body is adorned with a superb floral painted design. Standing out against a black ground, the bodies are painted with a continuous foliate design, sitting delicate pink magnolias amongst vibrant green foliage. On each side, a stunning polychrome butterfly is depicted resting amongst the plants. The imagery is rendered in a gestural, painterly manner, quite unusual for objects of this type, and shows an incredible level of skill from the maker.
Each painted scene is signed ‘W. Mussill’ to the lower edge. Originally from Austria, Mussill studied painting in Paris, coming to work for Minton in the 1870s after initially painting for the Sèvres manufactory. He specialised in large natural compositions like this pair, always painting in a distinctive free style with heavy use of impasto. He frequently executed special commissions for royalty.
Adorning the neck, upper body, and socle are rings of geometric designs. A notable contrast to the painted scenes, the designs combine linear and foliate motifs, executed on a burgundy ground with gilded highlights. Each vase is flanked by a pair of stylised elephant and ring handles, which suggest an Orientalist influence. The vases stand on cylindrical black bases.
The underside of each vase is stamped with ‘MINTONS’, the date cypher for 1876, the inventory number 1744, and various other hallmarks. Established at the end of the 18th century, the firm was one of Europe’s leading ceramic manufactories during the Victorian era, working in several different bodies and styles including earthenware, bone china, and majolica.
Surrounding remarkable painted designs with unusual bordering motifs, these colossal vases would stand out within the appropriate interior.
