The form inspired by Italian maiolica with gilt serpent and mask handles, each painted possibly by Thomas Allen, with continuous friezes depicting warriors in combat and godesses in action with chariots, between gilt bands of stylized berried leaves. Height 52 cm.
Damages, repairs.
Compare with a pair sold at Bonhams, lot 261. Fine Glass and British Ceramics
5 June 2019, London, Knightsbridge.
The scenes are from the Trojan Wars/The Iliad. One shows the struggle for the body of Patroclus featuring Achilles and the other Hera/Juno and Athena/Minerva in their chariot leaving Mount Olympus.
Alfred Stevens is believed to have joined Minton in 1859 and so these would be amongst the first pieces made to his designs, many of which survive in the Minton archives. Having studied in Italy, Stevens copied 16th century maiolica at the South Kensington museum. A pair of snake-handled vases designed by Stevens after Raphael's designs in the Vatican Stanza, was exhibited at the 1862 Exhibition.