19th C Derby Porcelain, Regency Period, 'Old Imari' Vase now as a Lamp

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Derby Porcelain (England), Regency period, decorated in the Old Imari or “Japan” manner, circa 1815–1835

This refined and substantial porcelain … Read more Derby Porcelain (England), Regency period, decorated in the Old Imari or “Japan” manner, circa 1815–1835

This refined and substantial porcelain urn represents an accomplished example of Derby porcelain production during the English Regency period, decorated in the richly colored Imari, or “Japan,” manner that was highly prized by British collectors in the early 19th century. Produced by Derby Porcelain, the piece reflects the factory’s mastery of bold architectural forms combined with lavish surface decoration inspired by Japanese Imari wares, interpreted through an English decorative lens.

The urn is classically proportioned, with a broad, lidded body set with scroll-form handles terminating in stylized animal masks, raised on a pedestal foot and square base. The decoration is executed in the traditional Imari palette of iron red, deep cobalt blue, and generous burnished gilding, arranged in alternating reserves of flowering branches, stylized foliate motifs, and diapered borders. The strong cobalt grounds and dense gilding are characteristic of Regency taste, emphasizing contrast, richness, and visual weight rather than the lighter neoclassical restraint of earlier Georgian porcelain.

Of particular note is the quality of the gilding, which is thickly applied and carefully tooled, framing the painted panels and accentuating the molded details of the form. The overall effect is one of grandeur and formality, intended for display in an important interior such as a drawing room or dining room, where such objects functioned as statements of taste and refinement.

The urn was electrified circa 1925, a sympathetic early-20th-century conversion that reflects the continued desirability of Regency porcelain in later decorative schemes. The electrification allowed the piece to be repurposed as a lamp while preserving the integrity of the porcelain body, aligning with the period practice of adapting fine decorative objects for modern domestic use.

Today, this Derby Imari-decorated urn stands as a compelling example of Regency porcelain artistry, combining early 19th-century craftsmanship with a documented layer of later decorative history. It offers both sculptural presence and historical depth, suitable for collectors of English porcelain or for use as a distinguished statement lamp in a traditional or eclectic interior.

The lamp measures 27.5 inches in overall height to the top of the finial, with the porcelain body standing 14 inches high and 19 inches to the lamp sockets. The vessel measures 10 inches wide across the handles and is raised on a 7-inch square base, giving the piece a strong architectural presence and balanced proportions suitable for use as a statement lamp or sculptural accent. See less