A ROYAL DOULTON CHANG WARE VASE BY CHARLES NOKE AND HARRY NIXON

The thickly textured, brightly coloured crackle glazes seen on the present lot were developed by Charles J. Noke, Doulton's Art Director, as part of his experimentation into Chinese flambé glazes during the 1920s. Fired at very high temperatures, they were introduced commercially by Doulton in 1925 in response to popular demand for eastern style ceramics. They were applied primarily by Harry Nixon. The sculptural element of an applied model of a dragon, modelled by Noke, is a rare addition as most Chang ware vases tended to be produced in simple shapes with no additional decoration. The name Chang Ware was used by Doulton in reference to the possibly mythical Song potter, Chang the Elder. It bears little relationship to Song ceramics in appearance and none in technique but it is thought that Doulton employed the Chinese name as a marketing ploy. A Chang ware vase with applied handles is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, museum no. C.112-1981.