A rare pair of Doulton Lambeth stoneware bottle vases with applied griffins, for the Art Union of London by Frank Butler c1885. Intricately incised floral and foliate design in tonal colours within beaded panels encircling the body. Long tapered neck with applied mythological griffins either side. Impressed Doulton Lambeth mark and impressed for the Art Union of London. Both vases monogrammed FAB for Frank A Butler and H (for Alice M Herapath). In addition one vase monogrammed RB (for Rosina Brown), the other MA (for Mart Aitken) and Op (for Ellen Palmer).  The vases measures 24 cm in height and 10 cm maximum diameter.
 
Frank Butler attended the Lambeth School of art but began his artistic life as a designer of stained glass. John Sparkes introduced him to Doulton where his creative talent flourished - despite being deaf and virtually mute. Butler was known for his originality of designs reflecting changing styles from Victorian up to and beyond Art Nouveau. Butler worked at Doulton's for almost forty years from 1872 to 1911. Rosina Brown (RB) joined Doulton in 1875 initially as senior assistant working alongside other artists such as Frank Butler, Eliza Simmance and Hannah Barlow. Her work being recognised, she went on to complete her own designs as an artist in her own right. Mary Aitken worked at Doulton as a senior assistant from 1875 to 1894. Alice M Herapath worked at Doultons as a senior assistant during the last quarter of the 19th century and early 20th century. Ellen Palmer work as a junior assistant from 1879 to c1910. For more information on Doulton visit our Maker's History pages.