This is a truly magnificent pair of hand painted porcelain spill vases accomplished in the Dresden manner. Instill the refined elegance of a bygone era to a special place in your home with these fabulous vases. Condition: In excellent condition, please see photos for confirmation of condition. Dimensions in cm: Height 19 x Width 16.5 x Depth 12 & Weight 1 kg Height 19 x Width 16.5 x Depth 12 & Weight 1.05 kg Dimensions in inches: Height 7 inches x Width 6 inches x Depth 5 inches & Weight 2.2 lbs Height 7 inches x Width 6 inches x Depth 5 inches & Weight 2.3 lbs A spill vase is a small cylindrical vase or wall-hanging vase resembling a bud vase. The earliest literary references to splints, spills and tapers date back to the 15th century, as do the vases that held them. From 1700-1870 spill holders were made of wood, iron, porcelain, pottery, brass and even wall paper. There are also some examples made in glass, although these are mostly limited to the 1840s-50s. A spill vase was usually kept on the mantel piece and was filled with rolled paper tapers or very thin wood sticks, called spill. Spill was used to transfer fire from the fireplace to candles, lamps, a pipe or a cigar. Commercial matches, which first surfaced in England during the 1820s were a relatively expensive commodity until the late 19th century, and spill was therefore a more cost effective solution. Some examples of spill vases have a rectangular holder for a matchbox, which allowed the user to light a single splint, or sliver of wood with the match and use the spill to transfer the fire to several candles. From 1860-65 there was a huge transitional period in the evolution of lighting and accessories. Later, with the spread of electricity, spill vases gradually became redundant, as people relied less on fire for lighting. Dresden porcelain - A King's Obsession In the early 1700s, King Augustus II, prince elector of Saxony, held goldsmith Johann Bottger prisoner and commissioned him to create gold. Bottger instead discovered the method of creating porcelain, a favored and valuable item in the king's eyes.

 The king announced to Europe in 1710 that he would open a porcelain manufactory in Dresden. He instead opened one at nearby Albrechtsburg castle in Meissen. Espionage was rampant, and the king guarded his porcelain secret, even though it meant imprisoning workers within the castle walls.

 By 1720, the secret was leaked and porcelain producers popped up in Vienna and Venice. Dresden porcelain adopted Saxon crossed swords in under-glaze blue as its distinguishing mark.

 In 1736, the porcelain manufactory produced the "Swan Service." It consists of 1,400 pieces, and is the largest, most lavish porcelain service ever created.

 In 1872, Dresden built its own manufactory to better establish its role in porcelain production. The porcelain created in Dresden bears a blue crown marker to distinguish it from pieces made in Meissen.

 Our reference: 05232 Please feel free to email or call us (+44 20 8809 9605) to arrange a viewing in our North London warehouse. Shipping: We ship worldwide and deliver to Mainland UK addresses free of charge. A shipping cost to all other destinations must be requested prior to purchase. To request a shipping quote for the items in your cart, please click HERE. Delivery and return policy: We require that someone be home on the agreed delivery day if applicable, otherwise a redelivery fee will apply. In accordance with Distance Selling Regulations, we offer a 14-day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the item. The item must be returned in its original packaging and condition. Unless the item is not as described in a material way, the buyer is responsible for return shipping expenses. Buyers are fully responsible for any customs duties or local taxes that may be incurred on items sent outside of the European Union.