Stephen had painted a splendid trial box (see Trials) featuring Kingfishers in November 2001 but it was not accepted as a catalogue piece, because the birds in flight required too much painting and a price could not be agreed that was feasible. However, as this is one of Britains best loved and most easily recognised birds, Stephen decided to have another attempt a couple of years later, although he probably later came to regret agreeing to paint the unusually high number of 50 pieces!

Stephen chose the 4 vase in order to give himself scope for a colourful piece and, of course, the opportunity to demonstrate his pre-eminent "inside-outside" skills by painting a bird on the inside base of the vase. The result did not disappoint his many collectors.