Baluster vases have a rounded shape which narrows at the base and the top. Below are some examples, information and price guides of vases with a baluster shape which are decorated with butterfly designs including a Japanese cloisonne vase and a Meissen vase.
French Gilt-Bronze Two-Handled Bud Vase After a model by T. Hingre Of baluster form, decorated with flowering branches, perched butterfly and a hovering dragonfly, with a wheel engraved colorless glass insert, on a shaped square green onyx foot. Height 10 1/8 inches.
Sold for $375 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2013
Fine Japanese Cloisonne Vase
Baluster form decorated with phoenix birds in flight, dragons, butterflies on floral ground with heavy gold mica flecking on bronze body, 3 3/4″ diameter x 6″ high. Condition Fine.
Sold for $190 at Forsythes’ Auctions, LLC in 2020
Vase with Butterflies late 17th–early 18th century China The Chinese term for butterfly (hudie) is also a rebus for the accumulation of blessings.
Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Kangxi period (1662–1722)
Reference: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
A Meissen baluster vase, circa 1730-35 painted with a large flowering branch of indianische-Blumen issuing from rockwork around the base, surrounded by six scattered butterflies and moths, the short neck painted with a flowering branch above a gilt band, with a further gilt band at the footrim, traces of mark in underglaze-blue, cover lacking and drilled through base, 38.7cm., 15 2/8 in. high
Sold for 16,250 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2014
An Imari and bronze mounted vase and cover 19th century Of baluster form and decorated with birds, butterflies and flowers before a bridge and band of stylised foliage, surmounted by a gilt bronze pineapple finial, raised on an associated gilt wood stand, 25cm x 25cm x 50cm
Sold for £ 1,275 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2019
Vase and cover; soft-paste porcelain; high-shouldered baluster form with out-turned neck and domed cover surmounted by pointed button knop; broad foot-ring; glazed base; painted with boar hunt with rider, two figures, one on ground, and dogs; reverse: lake-side scene with waterfall; cover painted with landscape scenes; rococo cartouche surrounded by elaborate gilded decoration, all on underglaze-blue ground; gilded decoration includes flower sprays and butterflies; marked.
Reference: © The Trustees of the British Museum
