Large early 19th century Minton porcelain centrepiece vase

Large early 19th century Minton porcelain centrepiece vase
English, c. 1835
Height 65cm, width 22cm, depth 22cm
 
Beautifully made by Minton in around 1835, the centrepiece depicts numerous motifs such as the elements, animals, and figurative art.
 
Three finely gilt putti stand around the central tree trunk. All are beautifully detailed with aspects such as fabric texture or fruit detailing easily recognisable. Together they support a gadroon bowl decorated with a plethora of details. It is hand-painted with alternating bird and flower scenes separated by bands of gilt caillouté. The rim above is ornately gilt and moulded.
 
The domed cover placed on the vase is painted with a band of flowers. Above is a band of gilt caillouté on a dark navy ground, creating a cohesive design throughout the piece. Further acanthus leaf detailing is moulded onto the lid, above which is a flame-shaped gilt finial.
 
The vase as well as the putti are standing on a square pedestal base, each of the four sides painted with genre scene vignettes. These are surrounded by scrolled, gilt frames. Around the paintings is a sea of gilt caillouté, making the pastel-coloured artworks stand out. The base is supported by four Rococo style dolphins. A square-shaped base with further gilt foliate decoration carries the weight of the whole centrepiece.
 
In Minton’s 1831-1842 estimate book, the centrepiece (named as design 159) alongside an ornate candelabra (design 160) is the most expensive piece listed. Its price was £14 6s 6d and was described as a ‘Large Table Ornament’.
 
The exceptional quality and skill of artists working at the Minton manufactory are showcased in this piece, one which would make a magnificent decoration in the appropriate setting.
 
Provenance: The Godden Reference Collection, Christie's London, sale 12 October 1987, Lot 252.
 
Illustrated in:
- Geoffrey A Godden, Minton Pottery and Porcelain (1965), col. pl.VII and pl.105, by Paul Atterbury and Maureen Batkin
- The Dictionary of Minton (1990), p.53
- By Joan Jones, Minton (1993), p.81
 
Artist/ Maker: Minton