Large Art Deco Pilkington Royal Lancastrian vase relief moulded in orange-vermillion and bronze matt glaze c1935. Footed vase of shouldered-ovoid form with everted rim. Decorated around the body with prowling lions against a stylised background picked out in bronze. Based on original design by William S Mycock (see Pilkington's Lancastrian and Pilkington's Royal Lancastrian: A Guide For Collectors p246). Impressed marks used 1930 to 1938 and shape number 3353. The vase is 24.5 cm in height.
 
As manufacturers of decorative tiles, Pilkington's made the first steps in establishing what was to become their pottery department in 1898. Initially they developed crystalline and opalescent glazes which were discontinued after a few years. Subsequent years saw their range of glazes extended under the influence of successive ceramic chemists. During the early 1930's the pottery department experienced a number of set-backs which together with poor financial returns resulted in its closure in 1937. William Mycock started as a tile artist in 1894. He moved to Pilkington’s pottery department c1906 where he remained until his retirement in 1938 (after its closure). He was Pilkington's longest serving artist.