Sculptural Grave Vases

A pair of antique ceramic grave vases, produced by A.W. Buchan & Co, Scotland, 1922.

The Art Deco geometric form and coloured green glaze allow these striking objects to be displayed as intriguing abstract sculpture. Their intended function isn't so obvious at first, they more closely resemble obelisks or architectural finials, but on inspection you can see that they were designed to be inserted into the ground, to hold flowers at a grave. 

The objects are highly decorative and work greatly as a pair.

The smaller vase is squared and has a slightly softer green hue, whilst the larger has an impressed decorative flourish underneath the glaze. The stake on the larger vase features the addition of a screw-thread. Both objects are stamped with Patent numbers, and the larger includes their name 'Portovase'. 

The larger vase has the patent number 246422, whilst the smaller has the patent number 207401.