A rare and hard-to-find Royal Doulton Mandarin ware vase featuring a hand painted pair of flamingos, tropical flowers, and prunus on a white background. The Mandarin Ware pattern, designed by Robert Allen (1858-1934), consists of a transfer pattern that was over painted by hand in thick raised, enamel glazes. This raised character of the enameling produces an Art Deco feeling and makes these pieces somewhat similar in appearance to French Longwy ceramic pieces. This vase is of a footed, cylindrical shape, 8 1/2 in. tall x 3 1/2 in. diameter, very good condition with no chips, cracks, crazing or repairs seen. The hand painted colors are vibrant and bright with no wear to the design. The inside of the vase is a softer yellow luster and shows some dirt or staining from use. Fully hallmarked on the bottom with Doulton's 1902-1922 mark, an unrecognized artist initial (or cypher), and with several other marks and numbers including "H 307" which could indicate production date (1916 in this case) or more probable that this number refers to a shape number.

The main production run of this series appears to have been in the 1920's and since production of it certainly ceased by the 1930's, these pieces are very hard to find today and have become much sought after by Doulton collectors.

Robert Allen (1858-1934), was a an important decorative artist, and then pattern designer for Royal Doulton from 1870 to 1929. His department was entrusted with much of the finest and most expensive decoration carried out at Burslem Plant.