A monumental Chamberlain & Co. Medici vase

Of classical Medici form, with an inverted bell-shaped body arranged in four decorative registers. The main reserve is painted with a topographical view of the city of Worcester, set within a broad “Mazarine Blue” band enriched with gilt foliate ornament. The reverse shows a cartouche of flowers finely painted on a white ground.
The everted rim and square base are painted to simulate grey and ochre marble.
The lower section of the body, bordered by a continuous applied pearl frieze, is decorated with a gilt-marbled band on a white ground and further gilt foliate motifs on a deep blue ground.
The tall foot repeats the same decorative schemes.
England, c. 1845

Height: 51 cm
Additional Information

The view depicts the city of Worcester, with the Cathedral, the former tower of St Andrew (“Glover’s Needle”), and the bridge over the River Severn clearly identifiable. The composition appears to be based on the engraving West View of the City of Worcester by S. Sparrow after James Ross, although the painter has adapted the foreground, introducing larger vessels to heighten the dramatic effect.
The combination of “Mazarine Blue”, rich gilding and marbled decoration places this vase among the grander productions of Chamberlain’s. The presence of features associated with Flight, Barr & Barr, notably the applied pearl border, suggests a date shortly after the amalgamation of the two rival Worcester manufactories.
A Chamberlain & Co. topographical vase, marked and with comparable decoration, was sold at Bonhams in 2021 (29 September, lot 84).