A Bernard Moore Vase in the "oriental" style 1905

Fish as a decorative theme clearly connect this and the last vase posted below. They are very different in style and execution however.

The Moore piece is a stunning example of the Aesthetic style or "Japonisme" taste; the west's growing awareness, obsession and take on oriental design which was prevalent in all the arts around the turn of the 19th Century. Woodcuts from Japan were hugely influential on the post impressionists painters and Chinese glazes and techniques in the decorative arts were studied intensely by potters in Europe.

This flambé vase with various degrees of oxidation enhanced with gilt and enamelled decoration of carp is signed and dated 1905 and would have required several firings - a very expensive piece of the highest quality.

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A Wilkinson's "Oriflamme" vase painted by John Butler

John Butler was a very talented art director and painter working at the A J Wilkinson's pottery at the turn of the 20th Century. This miniature 9 cm high vase is a tour de force, demonstrating the highest quality of his work. Decorated with an all-over marbled gold and red lustre ground and highlighted with a finely painted fish; it dates from the early 1900's and represents the end of an era - Wilkinson's was Clarice Cliff's first employer.

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