DATE CYPHER CIRCA 1892, GILT CROWNED GLOBE AND IMPRESSED UPPERCASE MARKS, SHAPE NO. 2983, RECORDED AS PATTERN NO. NP1003, SIGNED L.(OUIS) SOLON

Louis Solon's Illustrated Journal records a design entry for this vase between the 11th of March and 11th of April 1892. The design for the pâte-sur-pâte surface decoration indicates that it was intended as a pair titled 'Bataille & Comparaison' and the margin notes 46 days of labor. Uncharacteristically, a second notation directly below the entry identifies them in English as titled, 'Fighting Cocks & a Crop of flowers.' Though listed in Solon's Journal as a potential pair, 'Comparaison' is recorded as a single early in its history. The entry in B. Bumpus, op cit, p. 136, notes that when the present vase was owned by Herbert Eccles, circa 1908, the owner sent illustrations of his collection to Solon, who responded,'On the front. Two girls are showing to each other the contents of their baskets--It is a little Cupid they have found in the woods. On the reverse. A matron who has long been waiting for their return, is waiting to scold them'. The illustration caption p. 139, notes that the vase was completed in 1894.

Herbert Eccles is cited as a collector of Worcester, Swansea and Nantgarw, chiefly acquired from the Drane Collection, now located in The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. See William Bowyer Honey, European Ceramic Art, London 1952, p. 586, no 194. Also see Christie's, New York, 24 April, 2005, lot 111 for a pair of pâte-sur-pâte vases and Christie's, New York 25 October 2005, lot 143 for a pilgrim flask, both lots with H. Eccles, Neath. collection labels.