Pair of Minton Exhibition Vases

Pair of World's Exhibition Vases
Minton
Dated 1876

This extraordinary pair of Minton vases represents the pinnacle of 19th-century British ceramic artistry, created in 1876 likely for the 1876 Philadelphia World's Fair, and shown again in the 1878 Paris Universal Exposition—two of history's most significant international showcases. Documented with the exhibition number "1744" in Minton's official exhibition logbooks, these monumental vases exemplify the technical virtuosity and artistic brilliance that established Minton as a global leader in ceramic production. The exceptional provenance is further enhanced by their inclusion in the renowned Al-Tajir collection, assembled by Mohammed Mehdi Al-Tajir, former UAE Ambassador to the United Kingdom and once rumored to be the world's wealthiest individual.

The vases showcase masterful hand-painted floral decoration against a sumptuous black ground, demonstrating exceptional artistry and sophisticated composition. Their imposing form is enhanced by elegantly gilded twin handles and decorative bands that reflect superior craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. The design brilliantly integrates Japanese-inspired aesthetics within a classical Western form, perfectly capturing the cosmopolitan sensibilities of the late 19th century and reflecting the period's fascination with cross-cultural artistic exchange. Each vase retains its original ebonized wooden plinth, completing the presentation as it would have appeared to the 13 million visitors who attended the Paris Exposition.

Each painted scene is signed ‘W. Mussill’ to the lower edge. Originally from Austria, Mussill studied painting in Paris, coming to work for Minton in the 1870s after initially painting for the Sèvres manufactory. He specialised in large natural compositions like this pair, always painting in a distinctive free style with heavy use of impasto. He frequently executed special commissions for royalty.

Minton's rise to prominence began with their establishment in 1793, but it was their revolutionary ceramic techniques displayed at the 1851 Great Exhibition in London that catapulted them to international recognition. Queen Victoria herself purchased Minton pieces, declaring them to be "in the best taste," providing royal endorsement that solidified the firm's reputation. By the 1870s, Minton had perfected the creation of exhibition-quality pieces specifically designed to showcase British supremacy in the decorative arts. World's Fairs represented the ultimate platform for artistic competition between nations, and Minton consistently produced works of exceptional quality to maintain Britain's cultural and industrial standing on the global stage.

The underside of each vase is stamped with ‘MINTONS’, the date cypher for 1876, the inventory number 1744

40" high x 26 1/4" wide x 20 1/2" deep