EARTHENWARE VASE, PILKINGTON, GORDON FORSYTH, with polychrome and ochre lustre decoration on a blue ground of carnations and flowers in the oriental style, the neck decorated with the motto in gothic letters: Non nobis solum nati sumus (we were not born for ourselves alone), the base with green lustre ground. Engraved with Px England, four interlaced scythes and a sailboat on the waves in metallic lustre. (Some scratches under glaze) AN EARTHENWARE VASE, PILKINGTON, GORDON FORSYTH, CIRCA 1900 36 CM - 14,2 IN. The Royal Lancastrian Pilkington manufactory focused on the production of ceramics, in the form of tiles or art pottery. Founded in 1892, its production specialised from 1906 onwards in lustre ceramics, with works covered in a brilliant glaze with a very specific iridescent appearance. Gordon Mitchell Forsyth (1879-1952), a Scottish designer, was artistic director of the factory from 1906 to 1920, before taking up a post as art tutor at the Stoke and Burslem Schools of Art. His work is notable for its use of medieval motifs and heraldic symbols in various guises. This vase bears the monogram used by Pilkington to attribute his designs to him, representing four intertwined scythes. The inscription at the top of the vase, "Non nobis solum nati sumus", is taken from Cicero's treatise On Duty and means "we were not born for ourselves alone". This idea of a social bond that unites all men and creates a human community, implying that each person is useful to the other, was strongly echoed by British artists of the period.