Vase and cover painted in lustre 1888-98 by William de Morgan, one of the ‘gentlemanly artisans’ whom Morris supported and encouraged. ‘His outpouring of bowls, vases, dishes, with their enamel underglaze, lustre glazes and ebullient decoration of birds, fish and mythic creatures, were not only the most strangely endearing of that period’s pottery, they were also the most technically brilliant’ (Fiona MacCarthy).