Vase
Della Robbia Pottery
Category
Ceramics
Date
1897
Materials
earthenware with sgraffito and coloured glazes
Measurements
290 mm (H)60 mm (Diameter)
Place of origin
Birkenhead
Order this imageCollection
Standen House and Garden, West Sussex
NT 1213665
Summary
Vase, earthenware, narrow lower foot with flattened foot rim, bulbous body and long slightly flaring neck with flaring and scalloped rim, and applied scrolls, two scrolling handles from neck to shoulder, decorated by Annie Williams, Della Robbia Pottery, Birkenhead, 1897; decorated with repeating sgraffito design of flowers and leaves to body, repeating flower-like motif around the foot, the design coloured with brown, blue, turquoise and pink glazes.
Full description
This object was decorated by Annie Williams at the Della Robbia Pottery in 1897. 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. Annie Williams was a sculptor and modeller. She came from a large family in Walton-on-the-Hill in Liverpool and was one of sixteen children. Williams probably worked for the Della Robbia Pottery on a freelance basis and specialised in the design of architectural ceramics. Pieces with her mark are relatively rare.
Marks and inscriptions
Underside of base: D [ship] R (manufacturer's mark) 18/97 (date) A.W. (decorator's mark, Annie Williams) Underside of base: a / D [indecipherable] / 21/- (hand written, black ink)
Makers and roles
Della Robbia Pottery , manufacturer Annie Williams (b.1868), decorator
References
Hyland 2013: Peter Hyland, The Della Robbia Pottery, Birkenhead, 1894-1906, Suffolk: Antique Collectors’ Club 2013