A Neale and Co blue jasper flower vase and pierced cover, circa 1786

The white relief figures of putti on the four sides symbolised the Anglo-French commercial treaty of 1786, Commerce, Art and Industry, and Liberty.

Height 15cm

No mark

The products of the Neale and Co. manufactory rivalled in quality the wares of Wedgwood. Most were sold through the London showroom of James Neale in St Paul’s Churchyard, along with their rare small production of porcelain, and glass from other manufacturers.

The treaty of 1786 was also known as the Eden Treaty. It was intended to facilitate trade between France and Britain and was signed on 26 September by William Eden, 1st Baron Auckland and Mathias Joseph Gérard de Rayneval, chief clerk of Charles Gravier de Vergennes, Minister of Foreign Affairs of France .

May 1789 marked the start of the French Revolution, which had a significant impact on trade between France and England. Neale and others made pottery commemorating this event, so pieces commemorating the earlier 1786 Treaty are correspondingly rare.

Condition: Minute nick to foot rim.

For an identical flower vase marked Neale and Co, see the V&A Collection, Accession number 2496&A-1901
See Hildyard R., European Ceramics, London: V&A Publications, 1999, p.144
Also Edwards D., Neale Pottery and Porcelain, p.73, Fig. 46
For a Neale and Co flower vase commemorating the French Revolution of 1789, see the V&A Collection O148592

£995