A mid-Victorian hand painted earthenware mantel vase, dating to around 1850-1880. The vase is of pear shaped form, rising to a scalloped neck glazed in deep green, and flanked by twin handles highlighted in gilt. Its body is decorated with hand painted floral motifs in pink, green and blue, reflecting the Victorian taste for naturalistic ornament. The surface displays fine glaze crazing, typical of 19th-century earthenware.
This style of mantel vase was popular in mid-19th century homes, intended more for decorative display than functional use. While the form and finish are closely associated with Staffordshire production in England, similar examples were also made in Germany and Austria during the same period for export across Europe. The combination of its decorative style, glaze technique, and materials all support a mid-Victorian dating.
