Object Description
A very rare pair of antique terracotta Warwick vases circa 1880 with socles stamped ‘John Matthews Royal Pottery, Weston Super Mare’ and embellished with a royal crest. These 140-year-old garden vases have a lightly weathered appearance, making a characterful addition to any garden or interior.
The Royal Pottery
In the 19th century, Weston-super-Mare was home to a thriving pottery industry. In 1847, Charles Phillips merged the two potteries of John Harvey and began making garden ornaments and flowerpots alongside bricks and tiles.
After exhibiting at the 1851 Great Exhibition, Phillips was awarded with an Honourable Mention. His work gained great popularity and a number of prestigious customers including Kew Gardens and the Royal Parks. He renamed the factory ‘Phillips Royal Potteries’ and began stamping works with a small crown.
Following Phillips retirement in 1871, John Matthews became the new owner of the Royal Pottery. He retired in 1888. The pottery existed for a further 70 years before finally closing in 1961.
The Warwick Vase
The original Warwick Vase, often closely associated with the Albani Vase, on which these smaller terracotta versions are based is thought to originate from as early as the 2nd century. However, its known history dates back the 1770s.
Scottish painter Gavin Hamilton unearthed what is now the Warwick Vase while carrying out a series of excavations at the site of Hadrian’s Villa in Tivoli, 15 miles east of Rome. Then only pieces, these were given to Sir William Hamilton and by 1775, the Warwick Vase was restored, set into Carrara marble and given a new carved socle. The vase was sent to England and passed on to Sir William’s nephew, the 2nd Earl of Warwick, standing proudly in the courtyard of Warwick Castle before being transferred into a specially built greenhouse where it remained until 1977.
Today, the original Warwick Vase resides in Glasgow, forming part of the Burrell Collection.
Additional Dimensions
Height Overall 68 cm (Internal 33 cm)
Widest part including handles 77 cm
Diameter 40 cm