This vase would have originally formed part of a large-sized garniture set, which were often comprised of three baluster vases and covers and two slender vases. Pieces of this scale would have adorned noble houses in Europe, valued and admired for their beautiful artistry and impressive character.
A complete five-piece garniture was sold at Sotheby's New York, 19-20 March 2013, lot 152.

Terence Sydney Airey was a decorated officer in the British Army, serving in countries such as Egypt and Tunisia in during the Second World War. After the war he was appointed as the Commander and Military Governor of Trieste, helping to restore stability and re-opening trade routes. He then served as Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, under General Dwight Eisenhower, who would later become the President of the United States of America. From 1952 to 1954 Airey was the Commander of British Forces in Hong Kong, which is where he would have acquired this vase and lot 1501.