For this elaborate covered urn, Masons starts with a brilliant, slightly olive green groun...
For this elaborate covered urn, Masons starts with a brilliant, slightly olive green ground decorated with an overall gilt filigree pattern. This serves as the ground for a number of variously shaped floral reserves that differ in style while sharing Asian inspiration. The principal reserve, repeated front and back, is a Kakiemon study of brillIiant pink and orange peonies with foliage executed in deep cobalt tipped in gilt.
The small reserves beneath the handles, featuring a boldly contrasting brick red ground relates this decor to the pattern known as "Chinese Ladies" that we more frequently see on tablewares. These two reserves feature simple sketches of Asian females posed to show off their flowing robes.
Dolphin handles and knop, their features picked out in gilt, add to the ornate exotic character of the vase.