Lot 138: An exceptional Royal Worcester vase and cover by George Owen and Edward Salter, dated 1899 Fine British Pottery and Porcelain

Of large size and elegant slender form, pierced with a wide band of unique design, flanked by bands of honeycomb, one side reserving a pheasant-like bird perched on a rock, modelled in shallow relief, its plumage in delicately tooled gold highlighted in colours, the twin handles, neck and fixed circular plinth also pierced and picked out in gold and turquoise, the plinth with four large panels of piercing, 43.2cm high, puce mark, shape number 1957 (finial restored) (2)

43.2cm high

: A private collection, London

This vase represents a unique collaboration between two of Royal Worcester's finest craftsmen. George Owen has 'reticulated' a fine large vase with his distinctive honeycomb and a unique 'Arabesque' band around the middle. Reserved proudly on the front is a Chinese pheasant, modelled in clay and highlighted with tooled and shaded goldwork by Edward Salter. Edward (or Edwin) Salter (1860-1902) was a fine painter as well as an accomplished gilder. He specialised in landscapes but was versatile and he is also known for painting fish and birds. Sometimes his work included part of the design in raised gilding. A vase signed by E Salter with bird decoration in tooled gold, made in 1898 and closely related to the present vase, was sold by Bonhams in Edinburgh 7/8 July 2010, lot 587. A video featuring Henry Sandon discussing this important vase can be viewed on Bonhams website. Also an article by John Sandon examining how this vase was made appears in the printed catalogue for this sale.