Venturing
into the American market, Stephen designed this "in-out"
vase for Cameron & Smith Ltd., specialist retailers of
English enamels of Florida, U.S.A. It depicts two Bluebirds,
a member of the thrush family like the Robin, on the outside
and a nest of five eggs on the inside. Bluebirds are a declining
American species and there is even a special society devoted
to its preservation. They nest in cavities and have suffered
from competition from two imported European species - the
House Sparrow and the Starling.
Originally
selling at $1250 the popularity of Stephen's pieces has led
to a steady increase in value and Cameron & Smith recently
offered an example on the secondary market at $1800.