Pair of Wedgwood Hand-Painted Sleeve Vases, Antique Victorian Earthenware, Botanical Flowers, Brown Glaze, c. 1870

Victorian Wedgwood is usually pictured in pale jasper blue, which makes these vases a striking surprise: lush hand-painted flowers set against a dark, glossy ground. Made around 1870, one shows a spray of white and pink apple blossoms with red berries, turning to yellow lilies on the reverse. Its partner shows a large orchid with golden petals and a ruffled crimson lip, with a pink rose and two yellow butterflies on the back. On both, fronds of feathery grasses fan out behind the flowers, painted with quick, confident strokes. Gilt bands patterned with black stylized leaves circle the top and base of each. Labels from the Rubin Collection and a retailer's tag from J.B. Ridgway of Charleston, South Carolina, remain on the undersides.

Dimensions (each): 4.75" Dia x 10.5" H