Pair Of Royal Worcester Wall Vases In The Shape Of Venus's Slipper Orchids, 1886

An exceptionally rare Victorian pair of Royal Worcester porcelain wall vases, modeled after Venus's slipper orchids and dated 1886. The design for this model was originally created and put into production in 1881. It is recognized by experts as a remarkable example of late 19th-century British decorative art.

Created during the Victorian “Orchidomania”—a period of genuine British passion for exotic orchids—this pair, crafted from Blush Ivory satin porcelain, is finely modeled and decorated.

On the reverse of each vase is the Royal Worcester trademark—a crown and circle—printed in green on the glaze. Green was used as a mark of exclusivity for expensive, individually crafted decorative objects such as this pair; the letter X is the manufacturer’s date code for 1886.

The highly complex modeling, deep relief, and delicate protruding petals made production technically challenging and resulted in a high rate of breakage during firing. The survival of such a well-matched pair is therefore of particular interest to collectors of rare Royal Worcester and historic English porcelain.

Dimensions: The first vase weighs 353 g and measures 21 cm long, 16 cm wide, and 6.8 cm high. The second weighs 350 g and measures 21 cm long, 16 cm wide, and 6.7 cm high.

Condition: The first vase shows traces of glue on the mounting mechanism on the reverse side. These are surface stains and not signs of restoration. There is a small matte area on the gilding on the reverse, as well as two areas of enamel clouding on the white portion of the flower’s reverse. Otherwise, it is in pristine condition, with the gilding and polychromy fully preserved. The second vase shows slight traces of light-colored paint on the reverse, where the petals meet the body; these do not appear to be related to any damage. Otherwise, it is in excellent condition. All the imperfections mentioned are very minor and have virtually no effect on the overall impression of the pair.

Please examine the attached photographs carefully, as they are an integral part of this description. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance.