Shelley 'Rich Butterfly' Lustre Ware Jug by Walter Slater c1920

A rare Shelley lustre cream jug designed by Walter Slater with a deep blue background and painted with a large enamelled butterfly finished in best gold. A lovely Wileman/Shelley art nouveau shape. In excellent condition - no chips, cracks or restoration and showing little signs of wear. Printed Shelley Made in England mark (not obvious because of the glaze) and painted pattern number 8357* in gold. Height with handle 8.25cm (3.25in), overall width 10.75cm (4.25in)

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