This elegant work of Art Deco design is by the English pottery Shorter and Son (est. c. 1900 - c. 1964). The abstract Nautilus shell form displays the transitional design influences from Art Nouveau into the Art Deco period in a touch-inviting, tactile manner.
The glaze décor is a sumptuous glaze that is a blended dappling of powdered tones in Peach and Apricot, Apple and Mint green with accents of Nutmeg brown and Cream. The visual appeal of this piece is timeless in style but yet also very much a piece of Art Deco history that makes it suitable for standalone display or functionally as a Ikebana mantle vase.
CONDITION
Superb. No chips, cracks, or repairs. The most notable wear on the underside of the base. Please refer to photographs as they form part of the condition report. The underside of the base bears Shorter and Son's inscription and the stamp denoting 'Shorter and Son Ltd, Stoke on Trent, Made in Great Britain" that was in use between 1905 to 1933.
MEASUREMENTS
Height: c. 4.8" / 12.2 cm. Width: c. 7.5" / 19 cm (across widest point) x c. 2.2" / 5.5 cm depth (across deepest point). Unpackaged weight: c. 0.5 kg / 450 g
NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Before the 1920s, Shorter and Son (c. 1900 - 1964) produced Edwardian Majolica ware, creating a broad range of domestic and ornamental ware such as jardinieres, umbrella holders, bowls and vases. From the 1920s onward, their range only broadened however, they would adapt their designs to the burgeoning influences of the period. The design of their tableware and accessories, for example, reflected the Art Deco influences of the greats such as Clarice Cliff and Mabel Leigh designed for Shorter and Son from 1933 to 1935.
Sadly, in the early 1960s, the company faced the death of director Arthur Colley Shorter as well as the loss of a factory in Copeland Street to a road development scheme. Finally, there were significant expenses to convert to smokeless firing to conform with the Clean Air Act. These factors resulted in a decision to accept an offer from S. Fielding & Co. Ltd the owners of Crown Devon around 1964.