Lot 27: A ROYAL WORCESTER TWO-HANDLED RETICULATED VASE AND COVER BY GEORGE OWEN

A ROYAL WORCESTER TWO-HANDLED RETICULATED VASE AND COVER BY GEORGE OWEN
DATE CODE FOR 1924, GOLD PRINTED MARK AND INCISED SIGNATURE TO VASE, SHAPE NO. G998
Oviform with two leafy scroll handles, pierced with a central broad band of honeycomb below a band of geometric motifs, heightened with gilt dot ornament, the shoulder and lower section with moulded stiff leaf bands, with domed cover
7 3/8 in. (18.8 cm.) high (2)

WORCESTER MASTERY

Requiring incredible skill and patience, these pieces were hand-pierced using specialist tools by one man who locked himself away to create them. Because it was necessary to complete the intricate patterns in the clay whilst it was still wet the vessel was susceptible to both distortion and drying, making it a very expensive method. George Owen's mastery of reticulation resulted in the production of some of the most complicated ceramic objects ever made. Due to the painstaking attention to detail that was required, much of his work was carried out on his own time, and sold to specialist collectors.
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 20% on the buyer's premium.