After a career in various managerial roles in the pottery industry, Thomas Forester, born in 1832, set up his own firm in 1877 at Longton, Staffordshire, expanding rapidly in 1879 with the construction of the Phoenix works. Joined by his sons, Herbert and Victor, who were created partners in 1883, Forester oversaw the development of a company that was to employ around 700 people in 1900. The immensely popular ‘majolica’ wares became the staple of their production although their well known pieces were not marked as such. But the firm continued to evolve and adapt to changing fashions and their techniques were then applied to pieces created in the Art Deco style, with plainer lines and an accent on colour and stylized forms such as we have here. This jug is an example of the ‘Athens’ pattern which is also found on urn shape vessels, shallow footed bowls and wall pockets, each with a different number impressed at the base presumably indicating the model type. The acanthus flower decoration, a classical motif, perhaps explains the pattern name ‘Athens’. Majolica wares are not far away here but the style is very much Art Deco interpreted in the firm’s individual manner.