Cylindrical vase (“stick stand”) decorated by James Edward Hartshorne with a long-legged wading bird (front) amid flowering water lilies (back).
The bird appears to be a black-necked stork, native to south-east Asia and Australia. The plumage colours are well observed, but the bill is not, being much too short. Perhaps Hartshorne was following inaccurate reference, or deliberately shortened the bill so his design would be a better fit for the vase.
Signed and dated: J.E. Hartshorne / Benthall / Broseley / 1907
Mark: Unmarked
Height: 332mm / 13in
Date: 1907
Provenance: Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, Shropshire
Accession no: 1982-2988