M1 Metcalfe Lion (Wembley Lion)

Glaze
Decoration
Artist
Date
(d) Celadon Plain Percy Metcalfe (Crescent) 1927
M1 Metcalfe Lion Celadon 1927 face right
M1 Metcalfe Lion Celadon 1927 front view M1 Metcalfe Lion Celadon 1927 base marks

BASE MARKS:
M1 = Model number, d = Celadon glaze, Crescent = 1927

The M1 Wembley Lion was designed by Sir Percy Metcalfe for the Wembley 'British Empire Exhibition' of 1924 and 1925. An original Ashtead Potters sales sheet describes this model as 'Metcalfe Lion' though it is often referred to as 'Wembley Lion' among collectors of Ashtead pottery. This may be due to the reference in Edward Hallam's book.

The Metcalfe Lion is an impressive piece standing 14.5 inches (36.9cm) tall and designed in the Art Deco style. Marked M1, this was catalogued as the first of the 'M models' for Ashtead Potters and was produced in a number of glazes including 'd' Celadon as above and also 'm' Orange, as well as other plain glazes. The piece is also marked with a 'Crescent' which is the date code for 1927.

The original Metcalfe lion retailed at 60/- (60 shillings) in plain glaze and 120/- (120 shillings) in special orange which was extremely difficult to produce. A smaller, similar model was also produced M2 Lion of Industry. This is not just a scaled-down version but is of differing design.

ASHTEAD POTTERY:
For Sale
Archive
MODELS & FIGURES:
M1 - M40
M41 - M81
M82 - M86 Jungle Book characters
M87 - M105
Unnumbered
OTHER:
Christopher Robin Nursery Set
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