Rare Pair of Shelley 'Rich Butterfly' Lustre Ware Hexagonal Vases by Walter Slater c1920

A superb pair of Shelley lustre octagonal vases designed by Walter Slater. A lovely deep pink and violet shading to purple and dark cobalt blue background. Each vase painted with large multi-coloured butterflies finished in best gold*. Both in excellent condition - no chips, cracks or restoration and showing little signs of wear or rubbing. Rare to find a pair, especially in such good order. Printed Shelley marks with Walter Slater signatures. Height 17cm (6.7in)

*The Shelley pattern book archives describe the various complicated production techniques as "printed butterflies; blown in under-glaze water green, pink and oven blue; fired, scratched off and enamelled; fired and lustred; overprinted in gold then raised and extended in gold".