Pair Black and Gold Staffordshire Pottery Vases Circa 1880

This pair of black Staffordshire pottery vases has a bold, architectural presence. The glossy black ground and burnished gold handles create immediate contrast, while mythological scenes of Zeus and Hera in chariots introduce movement and narrative across the surface. The tall amphora form, rising from a pedestal base, gives the pair a structured neoclassical silhouette that reads clearly across a room. Made circa 1870, they reflect the Victorian appetite for classical imagery, yet their strong black and gold palette feels surprisingly modern. At 13.5 inches tall, they have enough scale to command attention without overwhelming a mantel or console. The decoration remains crisp, the gilding bright, and the overall impression is confident and dramatic rather than delicate. This is a pair that works through presence and contrast. Dimensions: 13.5 inches tall x 5 inches diameter Condition: Excellent antique condition with very minimal wear Decoration: Mythological scenes of Zeus and Hera in chariots with gold ornament Material: Staffordshire pottery with polychrome enamel and gilding Origin: Staffordshire, England Date: Circa 1870