Plaque
Della Robbia Pottery
Category
Ceramics
Date
1897 - 1901
Materials
red earthenware with coloured slips and sgraffito
Measurements
25 mm (H)190 mm (Diameter)
Place of origin
Birkenhead
Order this imageCollection
Standen House and Garden, West Sussex
NT 1213672
Summary
Plaque, red earthenware with slip, circular form without a central well, flattened foot rim wiped clean of slip, decorated by Jessie Sinclair and Gwendoline Buckler, Della Robbia Pottery, Birkenhead, 1897-1901; painted and incised with a central floral motif in green and cream, with a repeating pattern of cream foliage and narrow green leaves around the well with triangles forming four corners, four scrolling leaves around the rim.
Full description
This decorative plaque was incised by Jessie Sinclair and painted by Gwendoline Buckler at the Della Robbia pottery in Birkenhead. Taking its name and inspiration from the maiolica (tin glazed earthenware) masterpieces of Italian Renaissance sculptor Luca Della Robbia, the studio was established 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 and Walker’s work is among its very finest and most progressive. 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 after just 12 years in business. Gwendoline Buckler trained at Liverpool School of Art. She worked at the Della Robbia between about 1896 and 1901. She received a number of awards for the quality of her painted decoration. After leaving Della Robbia, Gwendoline is recorded as working as a 'Floral Designer - Fancy Goods' in a 1901 census, later as an 'artist designer'. Jessie Sinclair was at the pottery from about 1897-1901 and also exhibited watercolours.
Marks and inscriptions
Underside of base: D [ship] R (maker's mark) JS (for Jessie Sinclair) Underside of base: GEMB (painted by hand in green, for Gwendonline Buckler)
Makers and roles
Della Robbia Pottery , manufacturer Jessie Sinclair, decorator
References
Hyland 2013: Peter Hyland, The Della Robbia Pottery, Birkenhead, 1894-1906, Suffolk: Antique Collectors’ Club 2013