Musical spill vases

The odd little spill vase below was recently on eBay, and it provoked quite a bit of chatter on Facebook. It may be unlike anything you have seen and it certainly has condition issues, but it is the Real Thing. Yes, I believe that even those goofy sheep are right!

Spill vases in this 6" size date from the 18th century. I believe this pair can be attributed to Ralph Wood (or his son), and that would date them to between 1782 and 1801.

One of the factors supporting the Ralph Wood attribution is the very rainbow-like palette on the bases.  You have noticed that the vase on the left is of the same form as the eBay vase. The animals on the bases differ, and now a squirrel has been added. The vase on the right is made to pair. I never cease to be amazed at how many figures have a mate. Here is another pair in the same vein.

Again, the 'supporting cast' of small animals differs.  Vases of this sort in so-so condition and of mediocre quality are really very uninspiring objects. Spiffy examples, on the other hand, are charming additions to a collection. The vase on the left (formerly in the stock of Andrew Dando) is so very much nicer than its mate on the right. The enamels are better and stronger. The vase on the right has restoration issues. Note that the boy's raised hand looks shrivelled and restored. I think that he perhaps originally held a tabor, rather like his counterpart in the Ralph Wood pair.

A while ago, I showed you this vase, also formerly in Andrew Dando's stock. I show it again because it is a comical, quirky variation on this standard musical spill vase theme.

I haven't yet found the mate to this vase, but I am betting its out there. Meanwhile, if you have anything new in your collection, be it trivial or grand, remember I am in the final stages of picture accumulation for my book. We still have time and I would love to hear from you.