Rare find - a brilliant, perfect, Fredric Rhead Candlestick in the ‘Amstel’ pattern

Tonight on behalf of Auld Curiosities (my alter ego if you will), it is a rare pleasure to offer this beautifully fashioned piece of Bursley ware. Decorated in the “Amstel” pattern by Frederick Alfred Rhead (1856 – 1933). This shape has an elegant balance to the candlestick and is one of a number of candlesticks that were produced in the Amstel decoration. The hand painted pattern dates to the early 1920’s is now seen as one of the ultimate expressions of art deco at that time and is extensively collected, though getting harder to find now. Some people will no doubt argue that Frederick’s son (Frederick Hurten Rhead) and daughter (Charlotte Rhead) eclipsed him, but for raw energy and power this pattern is hard to beat. I am still to sort out, in my own mind, if the piece is a decorative specimen vase, a decorative flask or indeed a decorative item with no fixed definition other that gloriously decorative. The piece stands 110mm tall on a base with a diameter of 95mm, giving a really nice balance to whole piece. No evidence of damage or repair on close examination.

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