Tulip Vase
Designer: William Burges, 1827-1881
1874
Heavy porcellaneous body; each vase has four tulip holders arranged around a tall central one; their lower parts are painted with scaled decoration, and their upper parts with parakeets amid blue foliage. Round the body, between two arms of the third Marquess of Bute, is the legend 'IOHNS PATCS. MARQ. De BUTE', and round the top of the central tulip-holder 'ANNO :DOMIN: 1874'. Unmarked.
14.2 inches (37cm.)
These vases were designed by Burges for the Smoking Room at Cardiff Castle, and are to be seen on their carved stone brackets in old photographs. Most of Burges's project drawings for interiors include vases of this type, but this pair are rare survivals of executed examples.