Attr. Minton Cobalt Urns With Osborne House and Mediterranean Port Views, "Ward"

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A striking mid-19th-century pair of porcelain urns attributed to Minton (Staffordshire, England, circa 1860-80). Each urn rises in a flaring … Read more A striking mid-19th-century pair of porcelain urns attributed to Minton (Staffordshire, England, circa 1860-80). Each urn rises in a flaring trumpet form finely painted on its deep cobalt-blue ground with panoramic architectural and landscape scenes: one depicting the Italianate royal residence Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, the other a lively Mediterranean harbour view, likely Naples with mountainous backdrop and shore-side activity. These scenes are set within ornate gilt cartouches, flanked by gilt ram’s-head handles and mounted on conical cobalt stems that rise from stepped gilt and faux-marble square bases later fitted with electrical switches for lamp conversion.

The cobalt grounds, crisp shell-gilt ornament, finely chased ram’s-head handles and the palette and model style are all characteristic of Minton’s high-end exhibition and export wares of the Victorian era. The presence of the view of Osborne House in one panel aligns closely with documented royal commissions executed by Minton during Queen Victoria’s reign. The excellent preservation of raised gilding, fine architectural painting and intact form support the attribution.

These urns would originally have served as luxury mantel or side-table ornaments in a grand Victorian drawing room, their rich colour, sculptural handles and narrative scenes signalling both cosmopolitan taste and technical achievement in Staffordshire porcelain manufacture.

Measurements: 15.5 in high × 9 in wide at rim; base width 5.625 in. See less