Large Porcelain Moon Vase Charles Henry Clifford Baldwyn for Royal Worcester

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A large and rare porcelain vase with striking pictorial decoration by Royal Worcester dated 1888 and decorated by Charles Henry … Read more A large and rare porcelain vase with striking pictorial decoration by Royal Worcester dated 1888 and decorated by Charles Henry Clifford Baldwyn (1843-1913). At an impressive height of over 15 inches, the stunning porcelain vase was made in the form of a Moon Flask (often also called as Pilgrim Flask or Bottle). The flat moon flask form was originally from the Islamic culture in the Middle East, made further popular by Chinese potters in Ming and Qing Dynasty. The painting on the front that depicts a flocking of flying swans over the enamel gilt autumn grasses carries a strong Japanese aesthetic, resembling some woodblock prints by artists such as Ohara Shoson. The grasses were rendered in a low relief. The seeds were highlighted with a luminescent gold with a texturized finish. The back of the flask was intentionally left most empty except a single stalk of grass placed asymmetrically. The swans-in-flight was the signature work by Charles Henry Clifford Baldwyn and only he was allowed to paint this motif. Due to its popularity, Royal Worcester even registered his swan design to prevent being copied. We cannot be certain whether the artist developed this lovely motif due to direct inspiration by Japanese art, but the poetic composition and delicate rendering no doubt evoke a seasonal sentiment found in Japanese culture, in which the migratory birds herald the arrival of autumn and often symbolize the feeling of homesickness. The ear handles and the bases were decorated in gilt archaic patterns. Underneath, the vase was marked with Puce printed manufacturer's mark 'Rd No 73823' with impressed number to underside 'Z', indicating the production year of 1888; and some old fragment of paper label remains.
Several series of the Moon Flasks with Japanese specific motifs were made at the very end of the 19th century by Royal Worcester. During the height of Japonisme movement as a result of the participation of the Japanese Meiji government in the World Fairs and Expositions. Historically, these designs inspired by the Japanese aesthetic reflected the obsession of all things Japanese at that time, but interestingly it also revealed the understanding and appreciation of the art of the far east in general from a western perspective, which often freely "grafted" elements from various cultures. This vase, however, appears a more natural fusion of the style that bridged the wildlife painting tradition in the West and the graphic stylization in the East.
Reference: For a smaller Japonesque Moon Flask see 2018.62.104 in the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.
For two other vases with similar flying swan motif by the artist, see item 4621 and 2712 in the collection of the Museum of Royal Worcester in UK. See less