Antique Burgess & Leigh Royal Ivory Ware Vase | Signed W. Adams, Blue Floral Staffordshire Pottery (c1905-1915)

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Product: 8455558
  • Product: 8455558
  • Product: 8455558
  • Product: 8455558
  • Product: 8455558
  • Product: 8455558
  • Product: 8455558

  • Antique Burgess & Leigh Royal Ivory Ware Vase | Signed W. Adams, Blue Floral Staffordshire Pottery (c1905-1915)

  • £39.50

:  at  £39.50  each

A beautiful early 20th-century Burgess & Leigh vase, made in Burslem, Staffordshire and decorated with a wonderfully soft blue floral design, finished with gilt detailing around the neck. The vase carries the Royal Ivory Ware Burgess & Leigh, Burslem, England backstamp to the base and is also signed “W. Adams” within the painted decoration. Burgess & Leigh was one of the important names of the Staffordshire pottery industry. The partnership of Frederick Rathbone Burgess and William Leigh began manufacturing in Burslem in 1862, later moving to the purpose-built Middleport Pottery in 1889. Middleport was considered a model Victorian pottery, designed to improve both production and working conditions. The company later became much better known under the Burleigh name – formed from BURgess and LEIGH – and remarkably, pottery continues to be produced at Middleport today. This vase dates from the early years of the 20th century, most likely around the Edwardian period. Its Burgess & Leigh backstamp, Burslem wording and style of decoration are consistent with production of this period. The decoration is particularly lovely. Rather than the crisp transfer-printed decoration associated with much Staffordshire tableware, this has a much softer, almost watercolour-like appearance. Misty blue and white flowers sweep around the rounded body, with the painter’s signature “W. Adams” incorporated into the decoration. A broad gilt band and delicate gilt ornament around the shoulder give the vase just enough formality without overwhelming the beautifully subdued blue colouring. MEASUREMENTS Approximately 16 cm high. CONDITION Good antique/vintage condition with no chips. There is light age-related wear, particularly to areas of the gilding, together with crazing and other minor signs of age consistent with an early 20th-century piece. Please study the photographs as they form part of the description. A particularly attractive piece of old Staffordshire pottery and a lovely decorative vase for a mantelpiece, cabinet or collection of antique English ceramics. The combination of the Burgess & Leigh backstamp and visible W. Adams signature gives this example a little more character and history than an anonymous decorative vase.