A rare Lowestoft blue and white inkwell c.1790, attributed to Robert Allen, the slightly waisted cylindrical form inscribed `St Margret Parish Church of Lowestoft` within a foliate cartouche, the reverse with insects around a flower spray, the shoulder with further flower sprigs around three small holes encircling a central well with everted rim, a hole to the base, 7.1cm dia. Provenance: a private collection in East Anglia. Acquired from Bob Williams. Inkwells with underglaze blue decoration are rare survivals. See Sheenah Smith, Lowestoft Porcelain in Norwich Castle Museum, pp.46-55 for a discussion of pieces attributed to Robert Allen. Also pl.225 for a very similar `Trifle from Lowestoft` inkwell. St Margaret`s Church dates from the 14th century and its spire was once the highest point in Lowestoft. The church had a change of vicar in 1789 with the new incumbent, Robert Potter.