Mid-Victorian Staffordshire Pottery Figural Spill Vase

Description

This is a Mid-Victorian Staffordshire Pottery Figural Spill Vase. This charming Spill Vase measures 10.5″ tall and approximately 6″ in width. It features a Scottish Man and Woman along with a sheep. The figures are glazed with Cobalt Blue along with muted Greens and Reds. The White glaze has a slight Blue tinge to it and the Man and Woman are decorated front and back. The Sheep has a ‘flocked’ wool coat and the Woman is holding flowers in both hands. The condition is reflective of its age. The Man is missing a hand and there is a chip on the top of the vase opening along with visible crazing. The base is concave and there is no makers mark. Often called Flatbacks, the Spill Vase is a small cylindrical vase which stood on the mantelpiece and held rolled up pieces of paper (spills) that substituted for matches to light a candle or pipe from a lit fire. While inspecting this piece, an original spill was found in the vase (see photos). Made in Staffordshire, England. Dates from between 1840 and 1865 (based on Cobalt Blue glaze).