Magnificent C1865 Minton Aesthetic Movement Hand-Painted Bone China Pitcher

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For your consideration...
A breathtaking hand-painted Minton bone china pitcher from circa 1865, representing the pinnacle of 19th century English … Read more For your consideration...
A breathtaking hand-painted Minton bone china pitcher from circa 1865, representing the pinnacle of 19th century English ceramic artistry. This impressive vessel showcases the elegant form and sophisticated design sensibilities of the Aesthetic Movement, when art was created purely for beauty's sake - embodying the era's revolutionary "art for art's sake" philosophy.
The hand-painted decoration is a masterful example of Aesthetic Movement design, featuring exquisite chinoiserie flourishes inspired by Asian art. The composition depicts a temple altar adorned with ceremonial urns and vases, surrounded by beautifully rendered lotus blossoms and delicate dogwood patterns. Each brushstroke demonstrates the exceptional skill of Minton's renowned decorators, creating a harmonious blend of Eastern inspiration and Western Victorian refinement.
About the Aesthetic Movement: Flourishing in the 1870s and 1880s, Aestheticism valued the pure visual beauty of art, literature, music, and design over didactic purpose. Supported by luminaries like Walter Pater and Oscar Wilde, this movement revolutionized decorative arts by prioritizing aesthetic pleasure above moral instruction.
About Minton Bone China: Minton was among the finest producers of English bone china, a remarkable ceramic innovation combining bone ash, feldspathic material, and kaolin. This unique formula creates pottery of exceptional strength, whiteness, and translucency - allowing for the delicate, thin-walled construction that makes this pitcher both durable and ethereal. The bone china technique, perfected by Josiah Spode in the 1790s and adopted by all major English factories by 1815, represents the triumph of English ceramic technology.
Condition: Superb overall condition with only minor wear to the base - nothing significant that detracts from its beauty or function.

Specifications:

Dimensions: 10ʺW × 10ʺD × 12ʺH
Style: Aesthetic Movement, English Chinoiserie
Brand: Minton
Period: Mid 19th Century (c1865)
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Material: Bone China
Condition: Good Condition, Original/Unaltered, Some Minor Base Wear
Item Type: Antique

An extraordinary example of Victorian decorative arts that would grace any collection of English ceramics, Aesthetic Movement pieces, or fine bone china. Perfect for the discerning collector who appreciates both historical significance and timeless beauty. See less