Sowerby UK African Shield Marigold Vase

The African Shield pattern by Sowerby is found in this little posy vase shape and should be complete with a metal grill to hold the flowers in place. It is an unusually popular little piece but unfortunately is virtually impossible to find complete. Nine times out of ten, it's found with the metal grill missing.

This was one of our earliest finds at an Antique and Collectors fair in 1997. We came across three on the same stall so we bought them all. As you can probably guess, only one had the grill.

It measures 2.75" tall, 4" across the top opening and has a base diameter of 2.5".

The Ellen & Keith Richardson Collection UK