Skip to main content

Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

British

Thanks to its reserves of clay, lead, salt and coal, Staffordshire, England, has been a center for ceramics since the early 17th century. The county was home at one time to hundreds of pottery workshops and as many as 4,000 bottle-shaped kilns that operated year-round. The term “Staffordshire Potteries” refers to the industrial area of Stoke-on-Trent — comprising the towns Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton, Stoke and Tunstall — where most of the production was concentrated.

In 1720, potter John Astbury discovered that he could make what would later be called creamware by adding ground flint powder to the local red clay. Because resources were so plentiful in Staffordshire, local potters could afford to experiment, working to refine their techniques and designs. One such innovator was Thomas Whieldon, an important 18th-century potter known today for his tortoiseshell ware, whose brilliant glazed surface of caramel, yellow and green hues was made with copper and manganese compounds.

Whieldon operated the Fenton Low workshop, making coffee- and teapots, dinner services and even ornamental knife hafts. He was an influential figure: Josiah Spode apprenticed at the workshop prior to opening his company in 1770, and Josiah Wedgwood partnered with Whieldon for five years before establishing his eponymous firm in 1759.

Wedgwood is perhaps the best known of the Staffordshire potters. The firm produced a line of light-colored earthenware for Queen Charlotte, who liked it so much that she granted permission to market it under the moniker Queen’s Ware, which despite the name, was designed for everyday use.

In the same regal vein, in 1773, Wedgwood created the 954-piece Frog service for Catherine the Great, of Russia. The company is also known for its black stoneware, Black Basalt, which imitates the color and shapes of Etruscan vases; Jasperware, with its classical reliefs applied on the unglazed body; and pearlware.

By the end of the 18th century, Staffordshire was the primary producer of ceramics for the American colonies, even creating patriotic wares celebrating independence for this market. The imagery on Staffordshire ceramics became more standardized during the mid-18th century with the advent of transferware, in which a design etched on a copper plate is printed on tissue paper, which is then used to transfer the wet ink onto the ceramic surface. This technique enabled artisans to decorate their wares with complex scenes that wrapped around an object’s surface and make several copies of popular patterns.

The Staffordshire potters also produced decorative figurines, such as this charming pair of cows dating from the 19th century. Particularly popular in Great Britain were pieces with hunting imagery, such as this George IV porcelain stirrup cup in the shape of a fox head wearing a gilt collar inscribed with the word “Tallyho.” Among the many whimsical vessels produced is this mid-19th-century frog mug. The exterior is painted with a charming scene of people picking fruit on one side and ladies on a garden swing on the other side, while inside a molded frog’s head at the bottom of the mug makes a gurgling sound when the beverage has been almost completely consumed.

On 1stDibs, find a range of antique ceramics from the Staffordshire Potteries including decorative objects, tea sets, dinner plates and other items.

7
to
2
5
2
7
7
7
4
2
7
Height
to
Width
to
6
4
1
1
7
7
6
43
1,073
544
382
365
Creator: Staffordshire
English Pair of Porcelain Potpourri Vases, Cobalt Blue with Landscapes, ca 1830
By Staffordshire
Located in London, GB
On offer is a stunning pair of potpourri vases with covers, made by one of the great English (and probably Staffordshire) factories in about 1830. The vases are in excellent condition with some light restoration and have stunning gilding and hand painted landscapes. Potpourri vases were meant to hold a mix of scented dried flowers and leaves to freshen the air in the often stuffy Georgian or Victorian homes in a time before vacuum cleaners. The lids therefore are perforated to let the scent out. These vases are very much like the vases made by Spode, Rockingham or Minton, however after doing much research we have not been able to establish who made them - leading us to think that it might be Samuel Alcock, who made fabulous ornamental wares in the style of aforementioned factories. As there is hardly any documentation about the Alcock factory it is hard to identify their wares. Whichever factory made these, they are of the highest quality and with the boldness that any of these great factories were known for. They are stunningly decorated in deep underglaze cobalt blue and a rich gilt pattern. On the front they have eserves with brilliantly painted landscapes on the front. The items are unmarked. CONDITION REPORT The vases are in very good condition with some minor flaws and some light crazing throughout. One vase has a round crack in the inside bottom of the body body around the screw, a few tiny chips off landscape painting, and a rim chip was professionally restored. The other vase has a tiny hairline in the square foot, a repaired crack down the body that can be felt from the outside but hardly seen, some gilt touch up on the rim and one handle has been broken and invisibly restored. One cover has had the finial broken off, which has been glued invisibly with a screw inside to strengthen it. None of these flaws distract from the beauty of the vases and all are hardly visible with the naked eye from the outside. Antique British porcelain...
Category

1830s English Regency Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

Staffordshire Railway Interest Flat Back Pottery Spill Vase
By Staffordshire
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A scarce and early railway interest English Staffordshire flat back pottery spill vase with a seated couple with dog and with an evolved example of Stephenson’s Rocket dating from the 19th century. The hollow made earthenware spill vase portrays a seated couple in Scottish dress...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Antique Staffordshire Pottery Flat Back Figurine of a Gypsy Camp with Campfire
By Staffordshire
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Staffordshire pottery figural flat back spill vase. In the form of a gypsy family with livestock gathered around a cookin...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Pottery

Pair of English Spill Vases, Children, Stonehenge and Bird, Regency, ca 1820
By Staffordshire
Located in London, GB
This is a super charming pair of spill vases made by an unknown Staffordshire maker in about 1820. In the early 19th Century there were at some ...
Category

1820s British Regency Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

Staffordshire Porcelain Campana Vase, Salmon, Gilt and Flowers, circa 1820
By Staffordshire
Located in London, GB
On offer is a very fine small porcelain campana vase made circa year 1820 by an unknown Staffordshire potter. The vase has a beautiful delicate salmon colored ground, rich gilding an...
Category

1820s English Regency Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

Three Staffordshire Porcelain Spill Vases Floral Cobalt Blue, Regency circa 1820
By Staffordshire
Located in London, GB
This is a set of three little spill vases made by an unknown Staffordshire maker in circa 1820, which was the Regency era. Two of the vases are cobalt blue, one is salmon, and all three have beautiful gilding and hand painted flowers. Spill vases were used for match sticks to kindle the fire. Match sticks in 1820 weren't what they are today: they were short hand-cut sticks of wood and came in bundles. Everyone had a "spill vase" on the mantle piece or on a little side table next to the fire, so that the fire could be kindled at any moment. In the early 19th century there were at some point 300 potteries in Staffordshire, and artists would move from pottery to pottery, attracted by competitive wages. Unless items are clearly marked, it is often difficult to identify them and I have not been able to clearly identify these three spill vases as everyone made them. The two cobalt blue vases are clearly from the same maker; the salmon colored one is slightly shorter and different in shape, but basically the same. All have nicely shaped rims and three charming lion's claws as feet. There is beautiful gilding and stunning hand painted flowers in the reserves. Condition report: All vases have some wear; one of the cobalt blue vases had a foot broken and restuck (this is stable and not very visible when in position) and the salmon vase...
Category

1820s English Regency Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

Three-Piece English Porcelain Assembled Garniture, Staffordshire, circa 1820
By Staffordshire
Located in New York, NY
Three-piece English porcelain assembled garniture, Staffordshire, circa 1820
Category

1820s English Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Related Items
Pair of 19th Century Delft Blue and White Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of 19th century delft blue and white vases are excellent examples of the fine artistry in porcelain that have been produced in the region for centuries! Deep, rich cobalt blue w...
Category

1890s Dutch Dutch Colonial Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Japanese Kutani Vases
Located in Wilson, NC
Pair of Japanese Kutani vases, the baluster form with multiple panels featuring flowers and birds.
Category

Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

Par of Antique Early 20th Century English Staffordshire Spaniel Dogs Figurines
By Staffordshire
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine pair of antique early 20th-Century English Staffordshire mantel dogs. Marked on reverse. These charming dogs are hand painted with lovely gilt details and sweet faces. They ar...
Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Early 20th Century English Staffordshire Spaniel Dogs Figurines
By Staffordshire
Located in Pearland, TX
A wonderful pair of antique early 20th-Century English Staffordshire spaniel dogs with gilt accents. Maker's mark on reverse. These charming dogs are hand painted with beautiful deta...
Category

Early 20th Century English Victorian Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Limoges Porcelain 1930s Vintage French Pair of Cobalt Blue One Flower Vases
By Limoges
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th century, French pair of small vases in Limoges porcelain, decorated each with a different front cameo hand painted with polychrome aqua ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Antique Chinese Carved Soapstone Spill Vase
Located in Forney, TX
An exceptionally hand-carved antique Chinese soapstone spill vase - spill holder (see below), profusely decorated and intricately detailed naturalistic sc...
Category

20th Century Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Soapstone

Meissen Porcelain Vase with Hand-Painted Flowers and Gold Edge, 1920s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Meissen porcelain vase with hand-painted flowers and gold edge. 1920s. Measures: 14 x 11.7 cm. In excellent condition. Stamped. 1st factory quality.
Category

1920s German Vintage Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

Victorian Pair of Staffordshire Pottery Copper Lustre Split Leg Dog Figurines
Located in London, GB
Victorian pair of Staffordshire pottery hand painted copper lustre dogs with split legs, circa 1860. They have well defined fur, a black muzzle and golden eyes. Measuring approximately height 22.86 cm / 9 inches by width at the base 18 cm / 7 inches, and depth 12 cm / 4.7 inches. The dogs have typical crazing, one dog has an old chip and crack to the underneath / side. Because these figurines were hand made they are not perfect, and that is their character and appeal. This is a charming pair of classic antique Staffordshire pottery dogs...
Category

1860s English Victorian Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Pottery

Pair of Wedgwood Black Basalt Spill Vases
By Wedgwood
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A pair of Neoclassical black basalt spill vases by Wedgwood, made circa 1820. The vases are accented with a delicate border of scrolling acanthus leaves and depict excerpts from Joh...
Category

1820s English Neoclassical Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Pottery, Stoneware

Lladro Porcelain Floral Vase, 1970s
By Lladro
Located in Barcelona, ES
A beautiful porcelain floral vase designed by Julio Fernández and manufactured by Lladró. Spain, 1970s. This elegant glazed porcelain vase has a clean design with floral and foliage ...
Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Staffordshire Red and White Begging Spaniel Toby Jug
By Staffordshire
Located in Lomita, CA
This Staffordshire Spaniel jug is impertinent, from his expression to his hopeful gaze. The eyes seem animated and almost lifelike. This jug is in excellent condition with bright red, white and green and gilt touches in the form of the pup's gold collar and locket. This item came solo from a large estate collection of Staffordshire pieces in Los Angeles. The spaniel was on his own and is looking for a friend, [possibly] or he can go it alone. The mark is worn away from the bottom of the piece. This antique Staffordshire jug...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic

Antique English Parian Porcelain Large Figure of Perseus Minton Staffordshire
By Minton
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An imposing English Parian unglazed Porcelain Standing Figure of Perseus firmly attributed to Minton and modelled by Victor Simyan, who was a French scu...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Previously Available Items
English Pair of Porcelain Potpourri Vases, Cobalt Blue with Landscapes, ca 1830
By Staffordshire
Located in London, GB
On offer is a stunning pair of potpourri vases with covers, made by one of the great English (and probably Staffordshire) factories in about 1830. The vases are in excellent condition with some light restoration and have stunning gilding and hand painted landscapes. Potpourri vases were meant to hold a mix of scented dried flowers and leaves to freshen the air in the often stuffy Georgian or Victorian homes in a time before vacuum cleaners. The lids therefore are perforated to let the scent out. These vases are very much like the vases made by Spode, Rockingham or Minton, however after doing much research we have not been able to establish who made them - leading us to think that it might be Samuel Alcock, who made fabulous ornamental wares in the style of aforementioned factories. As there is hardly any documentation about the Alcock factory it is hard to identify their wares. Whichever factory made these, they are of the highest quality and with the boldness that any of these great factories were known for. They are stunningly decorated in deep underglaze cobalt blue and a rich gilt pattern. On the front they have eserves with brilliantly painted landscapes on the front. The items are unmarked. CONDITION REPORT The vases are in very good condition with some minor flaws and some light crazing throughout. One vase has a round crack in the inside bottom of the body body around the screw, a few tiny chips off landscape painting, and a rim chip was professionally restored. The other vase has a tiny hairline in the square foot, a repaired crack down the body that can be felt from the outside but hardly seen, some gilt touch up on the rim and one handle has been broken and invisibly restored. One cover has had the finial broken off, which has been glued invisibly with a screw inside to strengthen it. None of these flaws distract from the beauty of the vases and all are hardly visible with the naked eye from the outside. Antique British porcelain...
Category

1830s English Regency Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

Large Porcellaneous Staffordshire House Spill Vase
By Staffordshire
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Staffordshire Pottery porcellaneous cottage/house spill vase which features a house with finely modelled flowers trailing up the front. Vases either side in...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

Staffordshire Large Rare Zebra and Foal Pottery Spill Vase
By Staffordshire
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A large and very rare antique Staffordshire zebra and foal pottery spill vase dating from around 1860. The figure group portrays the large mother z...
Category

1850s English High Victorian Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Pottery

Staffordshire Large Rare Zebra and Foal Pottery Spill Vase
Staffordshire Large Rare Zebra and Foal Pottery Spill Vase
Free Shipping
H 12.41 in W 8.67 in D 4.73 in
Unusual 19th Century Pink Lustreware Staffordshire Pottery Covered Jar
By Staffordshire
Located in Essex, MA
An unusual 19th century English pink lustreware Staffordshire pottery covered vessel, the domed top with a tall, elaborate urn shaped finial over a ci...
Category

1830s English Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Pair of Antique Black Basalt Covered Urns 18th Century
By Staffordshire
Located in Katonah, NY
A pair of Black Basalt covered urns made by H. Palmer of Hanley Staffordshire in the 18th century, circa 1775. This pair of vases is a gem of the neoclassical style. They combine be...
Category

18th Century British Neoclassical Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Stoneware

Pair of Staffordshire Zebra Spill Vases, circa 1880
By Staffordshire
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a superb pair of opposing zebra Staffordshire spill vases that dates to circa 1880. The opposing zebras are elegantly modeled with min...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Clay

Victorian Hand-Painted Staffordshire Horse and Foal Flow Spill Vase
By Staffordshire
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century English hand-painted Staffordshire horse and foal flow spill vase.
Category

Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

Staffordshire Pearlware Bough Pot
By Staffordshire
Located in New York, NY
Staffordshire pearlware bough pot. Cachepot with four pilasters centering three rose and orange "moonlight" lustre panels and scalloped rim on bun feet. E...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Porcelain

Staffordshire Pearlware Bough Pot
Staffordshire Pearlware Bough Pot
H 6.75 in W 9.25 in D 4.75 in
Charming and Rare Pair of Staffordshire Cow Vases
By Staffordshire
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Whimsical and charming pair of earthware vases having cows and maids milking them and adorable calves taking a drink from mother cow as well. Obvious age but in excellent condition except for one small chip to one cow...
Category

19th Century English Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Materials

Earthenware

Staffordshire Pottery Footbath
By Staffordshire
Located in Montreal, QC
Early Victorian Staffordshire two handled ironstone footbath transfer printed with "Asiatic Plants" décor.
Category

19th Century English Antique Staffordshire Vases and Vessels

Staffordshire Pottery Footbath
Staffordshire Pottery Footbath
H 8.5 in W 19 in D 13 in

Staffordshire vases and vessels for sale on 1stDibs.

Staffordshire vases and vessels are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of ceramic and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Staffordshire vases and vessels, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original vases and vessels by Staffordshire were created in the Regency style in united kingdom during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider vases and vessels by Samuel Alcock & Co., Spode, and Stevens & Williams. Prices for Staffordshire vases and vessels can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $312 and can go as high as $40,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,000.
Questions About Staffordshire Vases and Vessels
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Almost all Staffordshire pottery and porcelain features a potter’s mark or symbol. One of the most common varieties is the Staffordshire knot, which is a three-loop knot sometimes accompanied by initials and a crown. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of vintage and contemporary Staffordshire pottery from some of the world’s top dealers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    You can typically spot Staffordshire pottery by locating the potter’s mark or symbol. One of the most common varieties is the Staffordshire knot, which is a three-loop knot sometimes accompanied by initials and a crown. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary Staffordshire pottery from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024
    To date Staffordshire pottery, look for the maker's mark on the bottom or interior. Then, use trusted online resources to determine the maker and find out when it was active. If you need assistance, have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer examine your pottery. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Staffordshire pottery.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    No. In fact, most Staffordshire figurines are not marked. Staffordshire figurines made from 1740 to the mid-1900s don’t generally have a maker’s mark, since they were produced by unknown, small manufacturers. Those manufactured by Kent between 1944 and 1962 feature a black printed mark that reads “Staffordshire Ware Kent Made in England.” Shop a collection of Staffordshire figurines from top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    To tell if Staffordshire figurines are real, turn them over. An authentic Staffordshire will have a hole in the base due to the press-molded firing technique. Also, artisans hand-painted the figurines, so no two ever show off the exact same variations in color. Staffordshire didn't add maker's marks to their pieces. If you see a name on a decorative object, it is unlikely to be authentic. Find a collection of expertly vetted Staffordshire figurines on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    There are a few signs to look for to authenticate an antique Staffordshire dog figurine. Antique figurines are press molded and feature a small hole in the base, rather than a larger one. The quality of the painting is highly detailed and gilded detail may be worn a bit with age. It is always best to have a professional verify if your figurine is authentic. Shop a range of expertly vetted Staffordshire dog figures on 1stDibs.

Recently Viewed

View All