Victorian “Grandpa” Staffordshire Fairing Spill Vase England, circa 1870–1890 ceramic vase pair Local pickup available from Northam

Local pickup available from Northam Secondhand

Brown’s Practical Pocket-Book for Merchant Seamen

Rim diameter: approx

Rozsika Parker traces a hidden history--the shifting notions of femininity and female social roles--by unraveling the history of embroidery from medieval times until today

Victorian “Grandpa” Staffordshire Fairing Spill Vase England, circa 1870–1890 ceramic vase pair Local pickup available from NorthamA charming late Victorian porcelain fairing figure titled Grandpa.These character pieces were sold at 19th century fairs as decorative novelties and often doubled as practical household items. The hollow back identifies this example as a spill vase, used to hold rolled paper tapers for lighting candles, fireplaces, or oil lamps. Modelled as a gentleman in period dress with wide brim hat, waistcoat and coat tails, the figure retains its original hand