Unusual Pair of Antique Victorian Bretby Art Pottery Bamboo and Stork Vases

A highly unusual and decorative pair of Victorian art pottery vases by Bretby Art Pottery, modelled in bamboo form and richly glazed in deep mottled greens. Each vase is applied with a finely modelled stork or heron standing amongst bamboo canes creating a striking sculptural composition.

The vases display Bretby’s characteristic late-Victorian Aesthetic Movement influence drawing on Japanese-inspired naturalistic themes that were particularly fashionable in the final quarter of the 19th century. The combination of birds, bamboo and green glaze is both bold and elegant with excellent depth of modelling and strong visual presence.

Each example bears the impressed Bretby / England mark to the base, along with the model number 917C, confirming authenticity and period. The glazing shows natural pooling and variation, typical of Bretby production and entirely consistent with high-quality Victorian art pottery.

These vases are notably attractive as a matched pair which is increasingly difficult to find, and they display extremely well on a mantel, sideboard or within a curated ceramics collection.

Condition:
Both vases are in excellent original condition, with no chips, cracks, losses or repairs. The glaze is vibrant and well preserved, with only minimal and entirely expected kiln and firing characteristics consistent with Victorian art pottery. Overall, the pair presents exceptionally well and can accurately be described as near-perfect for their age.

Dimensions (each):

Height: 29 cm (11.42 in)

Width: 13 cm (5.12 in)

Depth: 14 cm (5.51 in)

Date: Victorian period 1880

Origin: English