Beautiful vase to represent Burnley

A Pilkington pot, currently on show at Towneley Hall, has been picked by the people of Burnley as an item to represent the area in the History of Lancashire in 70 Objects project.Online followers and visitors of the historic hall have been casting their vote since January to choose their favourite object from a shortlist of three.Designed by Walter Crane in 1908, the vase received the most votes and will go to compete against other artefacts from across the county for inclusion in the final 70, which will be featured in the Lancashire Life magazine.Coun. Bea Foster, Burnley Council’s Executive member for leisure and culture, said: “It is great news that the town will be represented in project with the beautiful piece of ceramics.“I would like to thank all the people that took time to vote for their favourite artefact housed in our magnificent Towneley Hall.”The vase is one of the first ceramics to be acquired from the Pilkington’s Royal Lancastrian factory. It was given to Towneley in 1913 along with 30 others from the factory.The vase was up against the Whalley Abbey Vestments, which is the only surviving complete set of medieval English high mass vestments, and an exquisite Lancashire armchair dating back 1690.A History of Lancashire in 70 Objects aims to discover some of the hidden stories from the area through objects.The project has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and is a collaboration between Lancashire Heritage Learning, Museum Development North West and Lancashire Life magazine.It aims to engage communities across the county with objects and stories held in their local museums, galleries and heritage venues, and attract new visitors.