18th Century Vases and Vessels

This extraordinary First Edition Wedgwood rendering of the legendary Portland Vase is one of the rarest masterpieces of Josiah Wedgwood, the most important ceramics manufacturer of the 18th century. A tour de force of ceramic art, the Portland Vase First Editions are regarded as one of the greatest ceramic accomplishments of the 18th century, and they are a testament to the superior skill of Josiah Wedgwood, his extraordinary ambition and his tireless dedication to perfection. One of the very few First Editions still in private hands, this exceptional Wedgwood Portland Vase is one of the most important works of ceramics on the market. The story of Wedgwood and the Portland Vase is legendary. The original Portland Vase is the ancient world's most famous decorative arts masterpiece—a cameo glass vase dating to circa 25 CE with a frieze representing the myth of Peleus and Thetis, initially thought to be carved from stone. When it was first rediscovered around 1582, it captivated the world with its opaque white cameo figures over its rich blue background. After the vase was excavated it was owned by Cardinal Barberini, whose family later sold it to the Duke of Hamilton who eventually sold it to the Duchess of Portland, from whom the famed vase now takes its name. The famed British sculptor John Flaxman was likely the first to have brought the vase to Wedgwood’s attention. In a letter dated February 5, 1784, he wrote: “I wish you may soon come to town to see William Hamilton’s vase, it is the finest production of Art that has been brought to England and seems to be the very apex of perfection to which you are endeavouring to bring your bisque and jasper…” Indeed, the Portland Vase is a masterpiece of cameo-cutting, with a stunning frieze of opaque white cameo glass over its translucent deep blue form. Its beauty and translucence would inspire Wedgwood to undertake his years-long endeavor to precisely replicate the original in porcelain. Upon closer examination, Wedgwood realized the vase was not made of stone or earthenware, but of cameo glass—a technique so advanced it remains the masterpiece of cameo-cutting. Today, the vase is housed in the British Museum, where it is the second most viewed antiquity, only after the Rosetta Stone. It then took Wedgwood several painstaking years to craft his unparalleled copy of the vase, during which he perfected the jasperware technique that would become his crowning achievement. To this day, the renowned porcelain firm regards the vase as its most momentous triumph, so much so that the vessel’s silhouette is incorporated into the Wedgwood logo. The four years it took Wedgwood to complete his vase were not without tribulations. From the start, Wedgwood encountered numerous problems with his copies, from cracking and blistering to the difficulty of replicating the translucent effects of the original. The first acceptable copy was produced in October 1789 and sent to Wedgwood’s physician and friend Erasmus Darwin, the grandfather of Charles Darwin. Wedgwood presented another copy to Queen Charlotte in May 1790 and afterward organized a private exhibition of the vase at the Portland House in London. The viewing proved so popular that Wedgwood was forced to restrict the show to 1,900 visitors. Much of London wished to see Wedgwood’s greatest major achievement. Perhaps the highest praise of Wedgwood’s copy came from the famed artist Sir Joshua Reynolds, the founder of the British Royal Academy: “I can venture to declare it a correct and faithful imitation, both in regard to the general effect, and the most minute detail of the part.” Over the next few years, Wedgwood's oven records listed 43 First Edition copies of the Portland Vase produced between 1791 and 1796, 11 of which were broken during the firing process. In all, it is believed around 30 First Edition vases were completed, though an unknown number of these were somewhat damaged—one of these imperfect examples is currently held by the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The perfect examples such as ours have found their way into the most important museum collections in the world. The British Museum (London), Art Institute of Chicago, Birmingham Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts (Boston) and the Fitzwilliam Museum (Cambridge, UK), among others, all hold one of these highly coveted vases in their collections. In terms of technical achievement, the First Edition Portland Vases...

France / 1800 / vase / wood / Rustic / Antique Handmade French solid wooden vase from the late 18th or early 19th century. This decorative antique piece was crafted from warm dark b...

A beautiful polychromed urn with lid. Lots of nice colors.

France, circa 1780 A late eighteenth century bottle vase with grey celadon craquelure glaze and expansive rococo brass mounts. Height 40.00cm Width 29.00cm Depth 19.00cm

This fabulous handmade terracotta pot originated in the Provençal town of Biot and was used to store olive oil. The interior glaze that extends to around the rim was used to prevent ...

18th century English treen mortar and pestle hand turned and carved from yew wood with the rich and warm patina that only comes with age and use. Beautifully carved by hand from a si...

This exquisite blue and white Dutch Delft vase was crafted in the early 18th century, circa 1720. Its excellent chinoiserie decoration epitomizes 17th and 18th century Europe's fasci...

Very nice, not to large, Rococo samovar in copper with brass lining and nozzle.

18th Century Italian Majolica Albarello Pharmacy Jar. Jar is in a cylindrical shape with flared rim and foot. Jar features blue and white pattern with the word "Charitas" in an oval ...

For your consideration an European peasant motif silver plated on repousse copper vase , Circa 1800s. Stamped: Hallmark UJEP, H 309 Dimensions: 8.75 H x 5.5 diameter. Please visi...

A very fine 18th century Dutch Delft pottery vase or jar. Of typical vasiform shape with medium and deep blue Chinoiserie landscape decoration, dot border to the top rim, and swag...

A Very Fine & Rare Example of an Eighteenth-Century Chinese Porcelain Export Circular Lidded twin handle blue and white Deep Dish Tureen or Centerpiece Bowl of generous proportions and of the period Chien Lung 1736-1795. Exquisitely hand decorated depicting typical Chinese scenes of garden landscapes within trellis border on an off-white ground. The petal edge dome shaped cover with similar decoration and an attractive central finial. *This is one of a pair currently listed Condition: This piece is offered in exceptional condition for such an early piece, no losses or hairlines anywhere, and no restoration, possibly never used, no staining inside the bowl. This piece is typically unmarked. Back and front views are similar. Width: (including handles) 10.75” (27.5cm). Diameter: (top cover rim) 10” (25.5cm). Height: 7.75” (19.75m). Location: Dublin City, Ireland. Affordable fixed price Worldwide Store to door shipping offered by Seller. Please take time to scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our Shop PATRICK HOWARD...

Incredilbe apothecary Mortar in Nembro Marble, made from a single block of marble and dated back to the early 600 from Tuscany. It was used in the in apothecaries to grind herbs and spices into powder for food or medicine. Very unique and rare piece in great conditions considering the the period to which it dates. This highly sculptural and unique piece would be suitable today as a magnificent decoration on a table or mantle, or to grace the counter of an open kitchen...

A set of handblown early 18th century Oil and Vinegar Flacons. Following the French Court etiquette rules and a taste for luxury spreaded around Europe in the 18th century. Eating be...

Use this colorful antique bidet as a jardiniere or planter! Crafted in France circa 1780, and double-oval or figure-eight form shape, the planter is deco...

This hand-painted Dutch Delft vase, made circa 1770, is a beautiful example of 18th-century tin-glazed earthenware in blue and white. Rising to more than eighteen inches, the vase ha...

An 18th century blue and white covered delft jar having elaborate hand-painted oriental scenes of a master in his garden being fanned by a courtier, the master being accompanied by a...

Lovely 18th century Georgian lidded jar or condiment pot hand carved and turned from a beautiful piece of yew wood. Rich and warm patina from age and use...

This is a Pair of Gilt Cobalt Blue Urns. Both Urns depict a cobalt blue background that is decorated in the center with a hand painted country side landscape ...

Louis XVI Creamware Cruet Cachepot. Italian neoclassical glazed pottery original cruet stand/oil and vinegar bottle carrier/double cachepot of ovoid scallop form with pierced open wo...

On offer is a large Korean ceramic storage jar (hangari) with white glaze and iron red underglaze dragon design. The globular shaped jar derived its form from the Moon Jar of the ear...

This registration is one of the pottery called Satsuma ware, which was made in Kagoshima Prefecture around the 18th to 19th centuries during the Edo period. (The area with a red circ...

This is a charming frill vase made by the Chelsea Porcelain factory in about 1760. The vase is in the Rococo style and it speaks for itself why this style of vase is called a "frill" vase. This vase has undergone restorations (although it still holds water perfectly) and is therefore offered As Found (A/F) at a reduced price. Chelsea was one of the very early adopters of porcelain in the British china industry. Founded in 1744 the Chelsea pottery was for about 40 years the leading maker of fine chinaware, excelling in their sense of style, perfection and constant innovation and inspiring many following generations of china makers. The company was started by French silversmith Nicholas Sprimont and you can see the influence of the French style of silverware...

Louis XV wood planter cachepot jardiniere. Antique unpainted blonde wood Louis XV period cachepot planter of near square form with brass pierced gallery at top enclosing original zin...

A very fine 18th century alabaster copy of the Medici Vase, after the antique. Almost certainly made in Italy for a wealthy Grand Tourist and a faithful copy of one of the most renow...

Late 18th Century Delft Tabac Jar. As expected signs of age, minor restoration on rim. Circa 1780.

Very interesting and beautiful statue of Immortals Period: Qianlong Country of origin: China The Eight Immortals representing He Xiangu, Cao Goujiu, Li Ti...

A massive Louis XIV 'Turquin De Caunes' Marble Cistern, circa 1700.

Bring timeless Mediterranean character to your space with this impressive pair of 18th-century Greek olive jars. Handcrafted circa 1780, each terracotta vessel features a classic ovo...

Antique Rembrandt Jug in Pewter The Netherlands 18th Century. A beautiful quintessentially Dutch so called 'Rembrandt' jug in pewter. 18th century. Simple yet sculptural shape and a...

An antique 18th-Century Italian faience albarello or apothecary pharmacy jar. This wonderful old jar is hand painted and in remarkable condition considering its age, having some expe...

With underglaze blue and red decoration.

Pair of Chinese 18' century powder-blue gilt-decorated jars. Each gold painted with a composite floral patterns. Measure: Height 43 cm.

This large, antique earthenware olive oil jar was created in Biot, Provence, Southern France, circa 1760. Made of blond clay and neutral in color, the terracotta vase has a tradition...

A pair of Regence gilt-bronze mounted celadon lidded vases, Qing dynasty, Kangxi (1662-1722), in the manner of Yuan dynasty, and circa 1720. Each turquoise colored lidded vase / urn ...

France - La Borne 18th century ceramic pottery vase or bottle Original good condition Brown and grey frigin colors Some little losses...

A pair broad and fine flute cut tapered decanters engraved with Masonic interest fitted with heart shaped stoppers.

A pair of French Louis XVI period Paris porcelain cachepots from the late 18th century, with hand-painted floral décor and gilt accents. Created in France during the short reign of K...

A Dutch Delft garniture of two side and one middle vase, decorated with a dog and parrot. Origin: Delft, The Netherlands Date: 1763 - 1806 Workshop: De Porceleyne Clauw Owner: Lambe...

A remarkable pair of two antique European tin-glazed earthenware apothecary jars. circa 1770 Originally used as medicinal pottery jars that held ointments and dry drugs at apothecar...

A large late 18th C. black terracotta vessel from the Trás-os-Montes region of north east Portugal. Originally used for the storage of oil/wine. Heavily patinated with ripply textu...

Pair of neoclassical black and white Giustiniani urns with contrasting foliate rims and scrolled handles on low plinths. Italy, circa 1780s. Dimensions: 7.75" H x 4.5" W handle to ha...

A heavily patinatetd 18th C. black terracotta vessel from northern Portugal. Originally used for the storage of oil/wine.

Dutch blue & white delft vase with a top, depicting scenes of birds on all sides, with floral motif. Great for the ornithologist - really lovely! Bought in the south of France. Witho...

Italian antique vase with lid in blue and white majolica, 1715 Vase with lid with round base in blue and white majolica. On one side of the vas...

A quiet and elegant Korean white glazed bottle vase, Joseon Dynasty, late 18th century, Korea. The graceful vase beautifully proportioned, resting on a short recessed foot, with a...

Bottle cooler Manufacture Joseph Hannong Strasbourg, France, circa 1771 Maiolica polychrome decorated “a piccolo fuoco” (third fire) It measures 7.40 in in height x 9.64 in diam...

Copper handmade kettles from a Danish manor house and signed, circa 1750 - 1770.

Spanish Mid 19th Century Glazed Alhambra Majolica Amphora Vase Valencian medieval jug reflexes with heraldic shield.

Antique candle wax mold used for dipping candles Made of mahogany with a tin liner Great decorative piece Would also look great as a planter on a s...

Late 18th century Italian Majolica Polychrome Pharmacy Jar or Albarello, dated 1777. These jars were use in apothecaries to hold medicinal herbs, powders...

18th C. table lamp Ceramic Baluster Chinese blue Vase Shade Finial Antiques LA . Very fine 18th century Chinese turquoise blue Baluster vase wi...

A charming Dutch Delft ginger jar of lobed form, with chinoiserie design in polychrome tin glazed enamels, 18th century, Holland. The ginger jar (missing its lid), of globular fo...

Impressive group of two 18th Century Persian vases handcrafted in terra cotta in classic form, hand decorated in blue and white under a thick glaze. Both pieces proudly displaying th...

A black 18th C. terracotta vessel from northern Portugal. Originally used for the storage of oil/wine. Heavily patinated with ripply texture. Historic damage/chipping to the rim.

This elegant vase was produced by Richard Ginori porcelain manufacturer in Doccia, Italy, in the 1730 Not easy to find this model so fine and elegant with its country flowers in pin...

18th century Italian, blue and white Albarello, Baluster form jar with crown over double eagle design.

A clay Spanish colonial period jar from the 18th century. This jar is raised on a tripod custom-made metal stand. The finish is of a natural pale color.

Wooden pharmaceutical apothecary jar, marked "CARB LIGN PR".

Chinese Export Five Piece Famille Rose Porcelain Garniture, circa 1730-1750 The garniture of five Chinese Export porcelain vases consists of three covered baluster vases and two ...