An Eric James Mellon studio pottery Circus vase, dated 2005, the tall cylindrical body with waisted neck and flared rim, painted in cobalt and iron oxide and gilt with a female circus performer riding a horse, the neck with a pattern of gilt enriched stripes, the rim interior with a horse’s head with flowing mane, the underside of the base with a female portrait, bean ash glaze, painted marks and monogram to base, height 42cm (small chip to footrim). Provenance: from the personal collection of the ceramic artist, the late Eric James Mellon (1925-2014). Note: this piece has been exhibited. It was likely to have been in one of the retrospective exhibitions relating to Eric’s 80th or 85th birthday.