Covered Vase

Edward Lycett|Faience Manufacturing Company

1886–90 · Glazed and gilded earthenware · The American Wing

Because of its massive size, this Near Eastern–inspired bottle-form vase is one of the most important examples of the Faience Manufacturing Company's work. It may have belonged to the eminent ceramic historian Dr. Edwin AtLee Barber, who acquired a vase of the same size, shape, and decoration at auction in 1910. On the lower body, broad bands of Mazarine blue, a difficult-to-achieve glaze for which the firm was renowned, are painted with powdered gold and gilt vermiculation. On the upper body and neck, raised gold-paste butterflies flutter among chrysanthemums of Far Eastern derivation on an ivory-glazed ground.

Artist

Edward Lycett|Faience Manufacturing Company

Date

1886–90

Medium

Glazed and gilded earthenware

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Todd Michael Volpe, 1986