Shorter & Boulton (England) Small 'Dragon' Pitcher | Antique English Victorian Majolica, Circa 1870s *RARE FIND*

Shorter & Boulton were established by Arther Shorter and James Boulton in 1878, at Copeland Street, Stoke, Stoke-on-Trent. The company would produce a range of earthenware pieces and majolica ware, with the large portion of their wares exported to the United States.

Shorter left management of the business to Boulton, until Bolton's son took over running of the business in the late 1890s. In the early 1900s Shorter's son, John Guy Shorter, took over management of the business and in 1905 became the business we know today as Shorter & Son.


THIS LISTING:

An incredibly RARE piece of English history from the Shorter & Boulton team. This stunning dragon-headed pitcher was produced circa 1870s. For its age, it is in exceptional condition - no chips or cracks, with only a small amount of visible crazing.

The beautiful and striking glaze is glossy and bright and truly a testament to the work produced from the short-lived enterprise.

Interestingly, this design would be brought back into production in the 1930s. Under the artistic direction of Clarice Cliff, Shorter & Son reintroduced this 'Dragon' pitcher in a variety of different colour combinations. These were produced as part of her 'Bizarre' range of ceramics.

This antique and original version from the 1870s is distinctively different and recognisable from the 1930s version. Cliff's version is stamped as such with her name and the 'Bizarre' line logo.

It measures 15cm tall and 8.5cm wide at its belly.

Truly an exceptional piece of late English Victorian majolica.