Christopher Dresser For Minton Turquoise Glazed Square Vase, Circa 1880

This is an antique blue-glazed majolica vase with crane panels, created by the celebrated designer Christopher Dresser for Minton. The vase is of moulded square section with corner panels and decorated with panels of flying cranes on a rich turquoise-blue glaze, known as the Royal Persian turquoise glaze. The base bears the maker's mark: 'Mintons/1544'. This piece comes from the esteemed collection of David and Sarah Battie. The vase was designed by Christopher Dresser (b. Glasgow 1834, d. Mulhouse, France 1904). Dresser was a pioneering designer who drew inspiration from a wide range of historical and foreign sources, including Gothic, Japanese, Chinese and Egyptian styles. He combined these influences to produce something truly original and distinctive. Minton, the leading ceramic manufacturer of the Victorian era, won the highest awards at major international exhibitions by employing the most talented artists, sculptors and designers of the day. One of these, Christopher Dresser, became one of the most radical and influential designers of the century. Dresser began his professional career as a botanist and was well established by 1862, holding six different chairs in botany and artistic botany. During this period he moved into design, incorporating his scientific knowledge into his artistic projects. The Studio magazine described Dresser as "the most significant industrial designer, who has applied his imagination and sense of discovery to the daily production of British industry...." His highly original yet practical designs for ceramics, glass, metalwork, furniture, textiles and carpets were in high demand by the country's leading manufacturers. Dresser's first designs for Minton were shown at the Paris Exhibition in 1867. He developed several unusual ornamental forms for Minton, inspired by geometric shapes such as circles and cylinders. His vivid imagination and unique approach to form and decoration distinguished his work. Combining his knowledge of modern industrial materials with the skills of a draughtsman and an artist's eye, Dresser became one of the most important designers of his time. Christopher Dresser's association with Minton was long and fruitful, although not all of his designs were executed by the factory. As a designer, he was considered ahead of his time, and many of his works still have a striking visual impact today. His designs for Minton were exhibited in major exhibitions around the world, cementing his reputation as one of the leading industrial designers of the 20th century. His work is highly regarded and of great importance, with pieces held in prestigious collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The vase comes from the extensive collection of David Batty and his wife Sarah, whom he met while working at Sotheby's in the early 1970s. David's remarkable career in antiques spans more than six decades, marked by his roles as auction house pioneer, passionate collector, lecturer and broadcaster. He originally trained as a graphic designer and spent three years at Reader's Digest before joining Sotheby's in 1965 as a humble bookbearer. Rising rapidly through the ranks, he became a director of the company and headed up innovative sales of ceramics and applied art at Sotheby's Belgravia, before retiring in 1999.
A specialist and favourite on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow, which regularly attracts over six million viewers, David appeared on the very first episode in 1977. He has written or edited numerous books and articles on antiques, including ‘The Price Guide to 19th and 20th Century British Porcelain’ (1975), ‘Sotheby's Concise Encyclopedia of Glass’ (1991), ‘Sotheby's Concise Encyclopedia of Porcelain’ (1994), ‘Antiques Roadshow A-Z of Antiques Hunting’ (1996) and ‘The Antiques Handbook’ (1998).
Object dimensions: Height: 24 cm, Width x Length: 10.5 x 10.5 cm. Weight 1008g
Condition: There is a crack to the rim that extends along the body of the vase, and a small chip to the enamel on the rim. Otherwise, the vase is in excellent condition.
Please study the photographs accompanying the item carefully, as they form an integral part of this description. The item will be shipped with full tracking and insurance. Please note that shipping costs include labor, packaging and postage.