The Unusual History of a Six-foot-tall Doulton Lambeth Vase

Stuart Slavid, director of European Furniture & Decorative Arts, stands next to the gigantic Doulton Lambeth Vase

Have you ever stood next to a vase that’s taller than you are? Standing nearly six foot four inches in height, this Doulton faience baluster vase, with its painted dahlias among bamboo and exotic foliage, is certainly an eye stopper. The Royal Doulton Company is one of the most renowned manufacturers of table, ornamental and collectible wares dating back to 1815, and this antique vase was decorated by Florence Lewis, one of the Lambeth studio’s most highly acclaimed artists.

It’s unusual to see an antique vase so massive in structure, and although the particular history of this vase is unclear, a very similar vase was exhibited by Doulton & Co. at the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893. It was considered to be the crowning glory of the Doulton stand at the Fair and is now at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Around the same time, a similar vase is believed to have been ordered for the Maharaja Gaekwad of Baroda, a ruling prince in India. The cost was six thousand dollars, a staggering sum at the time.

It is not clear from the Royal Doulton Company records whether this vase was ever delivered to the Indian palace. The first attempt to make the vase came out imperfectly (the immense size caused problems in the kiln), and a duplicate was made. It is possible that this Doulton vase at Skinner was the one intended for the Gaekwad of Baroda!

An interesting side note on the antique vase is the way it is assembled. Produced in five separate pieces, the collar, the main body, and the base each fit cleanly one on top of the other. Each side handle has a recess that plugs into a “tooth” that extends from the side body of the vase.

John Sparks, principal of the Lambeth School of Art, described Florence Lewis’ artistry as follows: “She has a remarkable power of design and a skill in painting that is seldom surpassed. Her designs are of flowers, foliage and birds and whether she is working out a large design or a small tile her energy and power are equally apparent.” On July 9^th, this truly amazing piece of pottery will be offered as Lot 68 in Skinner’s European Furniture and Decorative Arts auction featuring Fine Ceramics.