Vintage miniature vase, decorated with hand painted flowers. The vase measures approximately 5 cm in height, and has a gold gilt top edge trim. The underside of the vase is marked as follows: "The Fine Bone China of Arthur Bowker, Made in England". This very sweet little vase is in perfect condition, with no chips, cracks or repairs to be found, and no age cracks to the glaze. This pretty piece is perfect for a display cabinet or to fill an empty spot in a printer's tray.
Arthur Bowker was the son of a miner, born in 1909. He gained a scholarship at the local grammar school, but left at 14 years old to contribute to the family purse. He resisted mining as a career, and followed his dream of producing something beautiful amidst the otherwise depressing background. He was apprenticed to E. W. Brain & Co (Foley China) and developed his talents as an artist. This was followed by time spent at Salisbury Crown China. In 1948, he took the gamble of going alone and began Arthur Bowker, Staffordshire Fine Bone China. In a single room in Longton, he began producing miniature items, jugs, kettles, simple brooches and then figurines. One of the earliest, a small crinoline lady, was named Christine, after his only daughter. He gradually expanded and moved to King Street, Fenton. A wide range of decorative china was born, including figurines of ladies, memorabilia (especially for the Coronation of Elizabeth II), china flower posies, character figures, various animals, dogs, birds and many other designs. Most items bore his self-explanatory mark. Figurines were signed with their identification name, usually by the painter. Many items were exported to other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and others. In 1958, the business failed, largely due to changes in purchase tax and other export regulations. Arthur Bowker died in 1962.
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