Vase
Della Robbia Pottery
Category
Ceramics
Date
1900 - 1905
Materials
earthenware with sgraffito and coloured glazes
Measurements
255 mm (H)40 mm (Diameter)
Place of origin
Birkenhead
Order this imageCollection
Standen House and Garden, West Sussex
NT 1213664
Summary
Vase, earthenware, narrow lower foot, with bulbous mid body, sloping shoulder and long cylindrical neck, two strap handles from neck to shoulder, decorated by E. Lloyd (sgraffito) and George Warhurst (painter), Della Robbia Pottery, Birkenhead, 1900-5; decorated with sgraffito design of acanthus leaves to base, naturalistic leaves with tendrils to mid body against a dotted ground, band of dots beneath rim, the design coloured with green, blue, brown and yellow glazes.
Full description
This object was decorated by E. Lloyd and George Warhurst at the Della Robbia Pottery. It is a form that was known as a ‘Large Moorish Vase.’ The Della Robbia Pottery was established in Birkenhead in 1894, taking its name and inspiration from the maiolica (tin glazed earthenware) masterpieces of Italian Renaissance sculptor Luca Della Robbia. It ran according to Arts and Crafts principles, aspiring to use local labour and materials, and to create works entirely by hand. Della Robbia employed many women as designers and decorators. The ceramics were bold, bright and colourful – the Magazine of Art reported that, with Della Robbia ceramics in a room, ‘the ordinary meal would have the comparative air of a banquet.’ Unfortunately, the venture was never profitable and it closed in 1906 after just 12 years in business.
Marks and inscriptions
Underside of base: ELL (decorator's mark, E. Lloyd) 930 (Della Robbia book number) D [ship] R (maker's mark) Underside of base: GW (handpainted, blue, decorator's mark, George Warhurst)
Makers and roles
Della Robbia Pottery , manufacturer E. Lloyd, decorator George Warhurst, decorator
References
Hyland 2013: Peter Hyland, The Della Robbia Pottery, Birkenhead, 1894-1906, Suffolk: Antique Collectors’ Club 2013