An important rare palace size 19th century English Charles Meigh & Son exhibition majolica vase circa 1855 of bulbous form with cranes forming handles, having central hand painted vignettes to front and rear depicting exotic birds in river landscapes, leaf and reed allover decoration on a rich green and maroon ground, mark not found. (Nb: These vases were never intended for general production as were large and too expensive to produce, and functioned as advertisements only for the firm's skills. A pair of vases by Charles Meigh & Son, of same form with portrait panels of Queen Victoria and Prince Consort, the rear views of crystal palace were exhibited and sold at the great exhibition of 1851 and are now exhibited at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London), height 87 cm, width 57 cm, depth 40 cm