PROBABLY ENGLISH, LATE 18TH OR FIRST HALF 19TH CENTURY

Although no specific connection has been made to date, the present pair of vases were always associated by Sir Albert Richardson with the architect John Dobson (1787-1865). Dobson was a leading builder and the only professional architect between Edinburgh and York, in Newcastle and Northumberland between 1810 and 1850. During his career he designed more than 50 churches and 100 private houses but is perhaps best known for Newcastle Central Station. A highly versatile practitioner, Dobson was able to design in a variety of idioms but was most drawn to the Georgian period.