Bretby Art Pottery Majolica Flower Vases Bamboo & Cranes by Henry Tooth & Co

A pair of late 19th century English art pottery large green majolica glazed flower vases or spill holders, modelled as bamboo canes, each with an unglazed enamel painted large standing oriental crane bird. These highly decorative and relatively unusual vases were made by the renowned Henry Tooth and Co at the Bretby Art Pottery, Woodville, near Burton-on-Trent, Derbyshire. 

The vases are Japonesque in style, a theme that was very popular in the late 19th century particularly with the art pottery and Aesthetic Movement. The French term Japonisme was used to cover the craze for all things Japanese that swept Europe at this time.

These are great vases that date from around 1891 - 1900 they are marked on the base with the impressed Bretby sun burst mark, and impressed England.

Bretby Art Pottery was an art pottery studio founded by Henry Tooth and William Ault in 1882. They designed and built their own pottery in Woodville, Derbyshire, where production began on 25 October 1883. Tooth had been invited by Christopher Dresser to establish the Linthorpe Pottery at Middlesbrough in 1879 but it did not take long before he moved onto this new venture.

Within a year of opening they had won a gold award at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 1884, the same year that the 'Sunburst' trade mark was registered.

The partnership was dissolved on 1 January 1887 when William Ault set up his own pottery Ault & Co. nearby in Midland Road, Swadlincote also in Derbyshire. Bretby was still produced by Tooth and Co. 

The vases each stand approximately 11 1/2 inches ( 29.3cm ) high with bases 5 3/4 inches ( 14.6 cm) diameter. They weigh 2941 grames unpacked  so can only be sent overseas by a courier service. Prices quoted for this are indicative only and may vary for remote locations etc. Please message for a firm price for your location.

The vases are in good antique condition with no chips nor restoration, some body crazing and small pools of glaze to the bases which make them rock very slightly. There is some wear to the unglazed painted decoration on the birds. - please see the images. 

These are great items for display and highly decorative and attractive examples of Victorian majolica art pottery.