Australian pottery, especially Pates, is in our opinion somewhat under-rated and has been set aside for so long. Sure it was mass produced but the design work and craftsmanship are quite something and a reminder of days long past in Australian pottery.
It you haven't already, look at Google using the keywords PATES AUSTRALIA and use the search images option - they produced a vast, unique range of ceramic and china works with a very Australian "flavour" - once you get used to the Pates range, you can spot them from a mile!
Alfred Pates began the pottery in 1946 and it continued until the early 90's although its busiest period was in the 1950's
Production was usually by the slip casting method, pouring a clay into a mould basically. Then decorating it to suit.
And so it is with this piece, a lovely trumpet flower design intended for gladioli or other long stem flowers.
Pates Potteries - Australia⁄Sydney
Circa most likely between 1960's and 1970's - it is very difficult to pin down a design to a particular period and usually the design itself is the best way of judging the production period.
This vase is small, standing just 130mm tall and 170mm across at its widest point, perfect for small flower arrangements.
Ceramic flower vase
Shell design
Mother Of Pearl colouring with a very high lustre
The top rim also has gold gilding all around the edge
The inside of the vase is flesh coloured and of course, glazed
CONDITION:
Overall, this piece is excellent
Crazing, almost none ** see notes below **
NO chips or fleabites
NO handling damage
Very clean
NO external crazing however inside the vase we can see just very light crazing - not substantial but you can see it if you look for it
The design is very typical of Pates, however the back stamp is practically unreadable - you can see that it has been back stamped but as was often the case with these pieces, they were mass produced in their day and the stamping wasn't always clear. This is not a printed back stamp but pressed/stamped into the ceramic underneath.
