Venus Bust Ceramic Vase 16cm

A classical bust with the crown of the head opened out into a vase - a conceit that has been in decorative ceramics for a couple of hundred years and still reads as witty rather than obvious. The modelling is soft and the features are suggested rather than sharply defined, which keeps the piece decorative instead of tipping it into a museum reproduction.

It is small: 16 centimetres tall and just 7.5 across, which puts it firmly in the category of things that go on a shelf, a mantelpiece or a bathroom windowsill rather than on a dining table. That scale suits it. A single stem, a few sprigs of eucalyptus or a small bunch of dried flowers is the right quantity, and anything more turns the head into a hedge.

Three finishes are offered. White is the most classical and the easiest to place. Beige is warmer and reads closer to unglazed stone. Gold is the most decorative and works best against a dark surface where it can catch the light. Each piece is handmade, so small variations in the glaze and the modelling are normal and expected. Hand wash only and avoid sudden temperature changes, which can craze the glaze.

• Dimensions: 7.5 cm wide x 16 cm tall
• Material: handmade ceramic
• Three finishes: white, beige or gold
• Suits single stems, dried flowers or short sprigs
• Hand wash only; avoid sudden temperature changes
• Handmade - small variations in glaze and modelling are normal
• Sold individually