About this sheet
Pair of Worcester Porcelain Vase Designs, Apple-Green & Pink Scale Grounds, 1910
This elegant pair of original chromolithographs illustrates two contrasting yet harmonious Worcester porcelain vase designs, published in 1910 in R. L. Hobson’s authoritative study of the manufactory. Presented together, the plates highlight Worcester’s mastery of colour grounds, figural decoration, and gilded ornament at the height of its decorative refinement.
NOTE: The prints are offered unframed, giving flexibility to select a frame that best suits the intended interior. The attached image of the prints in a frame is an impression only.
The first print depicts a covered vase with an “apple-green” ground, richly ornamented with gilded scrollwork and large shaped reserves. At the centre appears a vivid avian scene featuring a phoenix and companion birds among flowering branches. The strong green ground, combined with carefully balanced gold detailing, gives the design a sense of freshness and ceremonial presence. The applied handles and domed cover emphasize the sculptural quality of the vase, while the gold highlights articulate its elegant contours.
The second print shows a vase with a “pink scale” ground, decorated with a Chinese figure beneath a parasol, accompanied by birds and foliage. The fine scale pattern introduces a lighter, more intricate surface texture, while the figural panel adds narrative interest and an exotic character inspired by East Asian motifs. Gilded borders and accents unify the design with the apple-green vase, despite the different colour palette.
Together, these two prints form a visually engaging pair: green and pink grounds, avian and figural imagery, and shared gold highlighting create contrast without discord. The pairing reads as intentional and decorative, making it especially attractive for interior display as a balanced two-piece arrangement.
Both plates originate from Worcester Porcelain: A Description of the Ware from the Wall Period to the Present Day by R. L. Hobson, published in London by Bernard Quaritch in 1910. They were drawn by J. H. Thorpe and printed by W. Griggs & Sons, renowned for their high-quality colour printing for museum and scholarly publications.
Condition:
Very good condition. Light, even age toning consistent with early 20th-century chromolithographs. Colours remain fresh and well preserved. Minor handling marks at the margins. Visible plate marks.
Framing tips:
Frame as a matched pair in dark walnut or ebonised frames with generous ivory mats. This will enhance both the apple-green and pink grounds while allowing the gold highlights to catch the light subtly.
Technique: Chromolithography
Maker: J. H. Thorpe, London, 1910
