This masterpiece is considered one of the best Churchill commemorative pieces ever made.
THE ABBEYDALE CHURCHILL VASE, 1964
One of the truly beautiful Churchilliana pieces
The Honorary Citizenship of the United States of America was bestowed upon Winston Churchill in April 1963. He was too ill to attend the ceremony in Washington, so his son Randolph accepted the honour on his behalf. President John T. Kennedy said, in presenting the award:
“In the dark days and darker nights when Britain stood alone – and most men, save Englishmen despaired of England’s life – he mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.”
Thomas Goode & Co. of South Audley Street, London commissioned Abbeydale China to produce the covered vase in a limited edition of 250 to mark the event. The vase is 11 inches high and octagonal shape with an eagle finial and lion head handles, richly decorated in cobalt blue, gold and raised gold and carries a portrait of Winston Churchill, the family crests and the dates of his birth and office as Prime Minister and American Citizenship. Churchill died shortly after the issue of this vase.
Douglas Hall, Churchilliana p 172/173.
Ron Smith, Images of Greatness P 180
There are several gold gilded panels on the vase including Citizen of the United States of America 1963, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill K.G. P.C. O.m> C.H. F.R.S. M.P., and Born November 30th 1874 to Lady Randolph Spencer-Churchill (Nee Miss Jennie Jerome of New York).
