Used to store oil, wine or water, ancient amphorae had gracefully curving handles meant to be gripped comfortably and securely by the user, but Lycett possibly influenced by the protomodernist English designer Christopher Dresser designed his purely decorative vase with boldly angular handles that hug the vase's straight sides while emphasizing the curving neck and shoulders.

WSJ: Masterpiece: Gilded Abundance, Elegantly Restrained