Vase (one of a pair)

These vases reflect Christopher Dresser’s work in its most overtly decorative vein. The primary aesthetic impact of the vases lies in the strong pink ground, and the ‘cloisonné’ decoration, applied in bands, is further removed from a true cloisonné appearance than is normally encountered in Dresser’s work in this genre. There is a boldness to the simplicity of the decorative scheme, which relies on a strong color offset by two primary areas of dense pattern. These vases are unlike any other ceramic works designed by Dresser in the Museum’s collection.

Credit: The Charles E. Sampson Memorial Fund, 2015