A Doulton Lambeth Stoneware Lobed Bowl, by Frank A Butler, in tones of blue, green and brown, impressed factory mark and dated 1880, incised 376 and FAB 26cm diameter (damaged)

John Sparks said of Butler in 1880 "Another artist who has made his mark on the ware by the originality of his forms is Frank A Butler. He is quite deaf and almost dumb, one of many thus heavily afflicted who has passed through the School. He began his artistic life as a designer of stained glass but his intention was not needed nor, I dare say, discovered in the practice of an art which is almost traditional. I introduced him to the new work and in a few months he bought out many new thoughts from the silent seclusion of his mind. A bold originality of treatment and the gift of invention are characteristic of his work. He has struck out many new paths. A certain massing together of floral forms and an ingenious treatment of discs, dots and interlacing lines indicate his hand. He not only produced designs for himself to execute but keeps three or four assistants busy by designing forms and patterns for them to carry out. His best work, perhaps, is that where ground is carved, leaving the pattern in relief, and he is facile princeps in the treatment of the wet clay vessel by squeezing it into shapes other than circular".