A THOMAS FORESTER & SONS ‘PHOENIX-WARE’ FAIENCE EWER
Longton, near Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, ca. 1883 - 1891

Of globular shape, resting on a slightly splayed circular foot, with a tall cylindrical neck and gently curved spout, the cream and pale green faience ewer reminiscent of Chinese celadon wares, probably the original source of inspiration for this vessel, embellished with overglaze-painted decoration of reeds, leaves, and a golden phoenix flying, maintaining the Asian art theme, the foot, handle and neck also highlighted in gold.

38cm x 15.5cm

Thomas Forester & Sons was a ceramics manufacturer of majolica, earthenware and china based in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, which operated between 1879 and 1956. All items were produced at the Phoenix Works, established by Thomas Forester in 1879, which expanded dramatically to be one of the largest employers in all of Staffordshire in 1910, with showrooms scattered across Europe. Stylistically, Forester pieces shared motifs with other important majolica manufacturers at the time, such as Minton, but typically with a more rustic character.