Colin Melbourne freeform vase Beswick 1397 England 1950s

Colin Melbourne freeform vase, no. 1397, Beswick, England, marks to the base, number and signed.

Rare vase, even rarer to find without damage. Influenced by the sculpture of Henry Moore and decorated with a pattern similar to that found in 1950s fabric designs. A classic piece of 1950s Engish design.

Excellent condition — no damage or restoration.

Colin Melbourne (1928-2009) studied at Burslem School of Art before going on to work for Wedgwood in Stoke. He later studied at the Royal College of Art before becoming a freelance ceramics designer. He is best know for the freeform, modernist vessels and animal figures he designed for Beswick in the 1950s. He later went on to work at North Staffordshire Polytechnic (now Staffordshire University) where he was Dean of Arts. His work stands out as amongst the most innovative and forward looking in Britain in the post-war era.