Maker: George Grainger & Co., Worcester Royal Porcelain Co. Ltd.
Period: Late Victorian
These two beautiful ivory porcelain reticulated potpourri vases were made at the Grainger factory in Worcester in the 1880s. The larger vase is of strawberry shape and rests on three elaborate legs that imitate wrought iron. The base is of composed of reticulated spheres. The lid is topped with an elegant finial. The smaller vase is of ovoid shape and later manufacture.
The base of the lidded vase bears a printed mark used by George Grainger & Co. from about 1870 to 1889, when the Grainger factory at St. Martin’s Gate in Worcester was taken over by the Worcester Royal Porcelain Co. Ltd. (‘Royal Worcester’).
The smaller potpourri vase bears the printed mark used from around 1889, until Royal Worcester closed the St. Martin’s Gate factory in 1902. In the centre is a Grainger shield, with ‘1801’ the reputed date when Thomas Grainger and his partner John Wood established a factory in Worcester. ‘Royal Porcelain Works’ refers to the new owner, Royal Worcester.
Condition The larger vase has a very minor restoration near the rim (see photograph). Otherwise, condition of the two vases and the lid is excellent.
Lidded vase height 17.2 cm
Unlidded vase height 7.9 cm
Combined net weight: 327 g
Medium: Ivory porcelain
Origin: Worcester, England
