Pilkington's Lancastrian Pottery

The most innovative glazes for Pilkington's Lancastrian Pottery were developed by the company’s first art director, William S. Mycock. Later, designers like Charles Cundall and Gordon Forsyth contributed to the line's highly regarded Arts and Crafts designs. Their high-fired metallic iridescent glazes won the company international acclaim.

Lancastrian luster vases are known for their high-fired, metallic iridescent glazes, particularly the vibrant "Sunshine" luster introduced in the early 1900s. These glazes gave the clay a shiny, metallic sheen that made Pilkington's internationally famous. They often featured rich copper, gold, and deep red finishes mimicking ancient Islamic pottery.

The pottery was produced by Pilkington's Tile & Pottery Company at their Clifton factory in Lancashire, England, beginning in the 1890s. Production of the distinct art pottery line continued into the 1930s before the company shifted focus entirely to mass-producing architectural tiles. It became a major competitor to other English art potteries of the era.

Authentic Lancastrian pieces usually feature an impressed "Pilkington's Lancastrian" mark or a printed registry mark on the base. Additionally, pieces designed by notable artists often feature hand-painted monogram initials and date cyphers alongside the factory mark. The bold, lustrous glazes are also a major indicator of authenticity.