Pair of Late 19th Century Victorian Staffordshire Earthenware Elephant Sculptures/Spill Vases, England

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Pair of late 19th century Victorian Staffordshire earthenware elephant sculptures/spill vases, England

By: Staffordshire
Material: pottery, earthenware, ceramic, enamel, clay, … Read more Pair of late 19th century Victorian Staffordshire earthenware elephant sculptures/spill vases, England

By: Staffordshire
Material: pottery, earthenware, ceramic, enamel, clay, paint
Technique: molded, pressed, painted, hand-painted, glazed, enameled
Dimensions: 5 in x 3 in x 6.75 in
Date: late 19th century
Style: Late Victorian, Belle Époque
Place of origin: England

A charming expression of late Victorian craftsmanship, this pair of Staffordshire earthenware spill vases portrays two elephants standing before hollow tree trunks, their trunks gently curved inward in a gesture of calm and symmetry. The figures are molded and hand-painted in earthy tones of gray, brown, and ivory, with subtle touches of pink, green, and amber accentuating the ornamental details of the saddles and foliage. Each vase combines sculptural presence with utility, as the hollow trunk would have served to hold spills—thin tapers once used to transfer flame from a hearth to a candle or pipe. The glazing reveals the tactile quality typical of Staffordshire pottery from the period, where slight variations in color and surface reflect the handmade nature of production.

Unmarked, as was customary for many Staffordshire figures, the pair captures both the decorative charm and the domestic warmth characteristic of English ceramics from the late nineteenth century, merging narrative appeal with everyday function. See less