Frank A Butler - An early Doulton Lambeth cream jug and sugar basin – 342 & 343

A couple of little Doulton Lambeth gems by one of the finest designers ever to work at Doultons – Frank A Butler. The basin is 12.5cm (5in) across and the jug is 10cm (4in) tall. Butler’s assistant, Annie Gentle, also signed both items.

Both items have the impressed Doulton Lambeth mark with the date of 1878. They also both have the incised monogram of Frank A Butler, and his assistant, Annie Gentle. The basin is numbered 342 and the jug, 343.item number. Both items have solid silver hallmarked rims with the letter ‘C’ for 1878. The cream jug and sugar basin weigh a total of 441g.

Apart for one minuscule chip to the peak of one of the rosettes on the sugar basin, the ceramic components are in mint condition, with no other chips, cracks, crazing, restoration or significant scratches. The silver rim to the sugar basin has a very small dent in it.