Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones (1833-1898) for Morris & Co.

glazed earthenware, painted with the figure of a woman holding a pot and a sprig of leaves, mounted in a wood frame

Mrs. Lucius Gubbins, after 1934

Victoria and Albert Museum, London, Morris Centenary Exhibition, 1934
William Morris Gallery, Waltham Forest, 1996-7

A rare tile panel. The colours in the catalogue are a fair representation. The top tile in the panel is cracked as can be seen in the catalogue. The bottom tile is also cracked and this can be seen as a diagonal mark in the illustration. The central tile has chips to the edges and again these can be seen in the illustration. The frame worn in places. The frame and the backing boards appear to be original and bear the Morris stamped mark 'MORRIS 449 Oxford Street London W'. A rare panel with interesting provenance.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This design is closely based upon Morgan Le Fay, a Burne-Jones painting of 1862, now in the Cecil French Bequest Gallery Collection of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The pot, originally meant for Le Fay's magic potion, is this case presumably contains the poison Medea will spread on Glauce's golden robes.