Hand Painted Floral Pottery Vase in Blue and Green on Cream

Hand painted pottery has a warmth that printed patterns never quite reach, and this little vase is a lovely example. A rounded jar shape on a soft cream ground, it is painted all around with loose flowers and trailing foliage in blue, green and soft yellow, finished with a painted blue band at the rim. Because the decoration is done by hand, every side is a little different and the brushwork has real life and movement to it, which is exactly what makes pieces like this so pleasing to live with.

It measures 15 x 12 cm, a useful medium size that holds a bunch of wooden spoons and kitchen utensils beautifully, so it works hard by the hob. It is just as happy as a vase for a posy of fresh flowers or a few dried stems, or standing on a shelf purely for its colour and pattern. It is in good order throughout, with the small variations and gentle wear you would expect of a hand painted piece of its age, all shown closely in the photographs. It is styled here with wooden spoons, which are not included.

The blue and green palette makes it very easy to place. It brings a splash of pattern to a country kitchen, sits happily on a dresser among other ceramics, or adds a hit of colour to a windowsill or bathroom shelf.

Stand it by the cooker filled with your everyday utensils, use it as a small vase for flowers, or group it with other painted and coloured pieces for a collected, characterful look. Cheerful, useful and full of hand painted charm, it is a lovely thing to use every day or to give to someone who loves colour and pattern.