Mid 19th century Engraved Celery Vase

As celery was something of a status symbol the Victorians had to have a way to present the vegetable, the finer the household the finer the presentation and the size of the vase. This example is both large and impressive not only as its original use but also as a highly decorative work of art and glass, we date this to around 1855 given the style, composition quality and form.


There are four unique panels each containing a highly detailed foliate design, acorns and leaves, ivy, strawberries, and holly. Each are so well detailed and the engraving so well executed that the acorn cups, the individual leaf veins to the prickles on the ivy beggar the question how did they achieve such exceptional detail and by hand. Apart from the panels there are bands, scrolls and dots and stylized flower heads incorporated into the overall composition., the foot has also been star cut adding another layer to the cut above the rest quality of this item.

The extent of the engraving and the fine detail applied to every panel and every element of the designs lifts this example into the top division. Although we can't attribute this to the pieces that were shown and produced for around the time (1851) of the Great Exhibition, it is very reminiscent of the quality and standard that would have been seen at this seminal event.

Condition: excellent only the most meagre foot rim wear.

Size: Large, being 9 3/4 inches high (25 cm) and diameter at the rim of 4 1/2 inches (11.5 cm)