Charger
Della Robbia Pottery
Category
Ceramics
Date
1894 - 1895
Materials
earthenware with sgraffito and coloured glazes
Measurements
25 mm (H)370 mm (Diameter)
Place of origin
Birkenhead
Order this imageCollection
Standen House and Garden, West Sussex
NT 1213668
Summary
Plaque, red earthenware with white slip, circular form with central circular well, flattened foot rim wiped clean of slip, decorated by ‘Agnes’, Della Robbia Pottery, Birkenhead, 1894-5; decorated at the centre of the well with a stylised flower, with seven large stylised flower leaves around the well, brown band to outer rim, the design coloured with orange, yellow, brown and blue glazes.
Full description
This object was decorated by a decorator known only as Agnes, who probably worked for the Della Robbia Pottery as a painter (or ‘colourist’) during its first two years of operation. 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: D [ship] R (manufacturer's mark) E (unidentified sgraffito artist's mark) Underside of base: A (hand painted in black, overglaze, painter's mark for 'Agnes')
Makers and roles
Della Robbia Pottery , manufacturer
References
Hyland 2013: Peter Hyland, The Della Robbia Pottery, Birkenhead, 1894-1906, Suffolk: Antique Collectors’ Club 2013