Dish
Della Robbia Pottery
Category
Ceramics
Date
1902 - 1904
Materials
earthenware
Measurements
215 mm (Diameter)
Place of origin
Birkenhead
Order this imageCollection
Standen House and Garden, West Sussex
NT 1213704
Summary
Dish, red earthenware, deep well and broad, flattened rim, designed and decorated by Charles Collis, Della Robbia Pottery, Birkenhead, c. 1902-4; decorated with sgraffito and applied design of a stylised flower at the centre, surrounded by applied and slip trailed clusters of three berries or petals with scrolling stems and leaves, these same clusters places evenly around the flange with slip trailed zig-zag lines between, the dish covered in a glossy turquoise glaze.
Full description
This dish was designed and made by Charles Collis. It is decorated with applied clay, sgraffito and slip trailed lines, and covered in a vibrant turquoise glaze typical of the factory. 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. Collis was born and grew up in Birkenhead and began working at Della Robbia in 1895, aged fifteen. A memoir written by Collis gives invaluable information about his time at the pottery and the people he worked with. He was by all accounts dedicated to his craft – his sister used to deliver hot-pot to the workshop for his lunch, so he could stay at work rather than walking the short distance home. Collis was principally a pattern designer, creating incised decoration and partnering with Della Robbia’s painters to colour his pieces, especially Liz Wilkins and Gertrude Russell. He was determined to develop his technical skills and spent time working at Doulton’s factory in Burslem, the Ault Pottery in Swadlincote and the Liverpool tile manufacturer, George Swift & Co. He often brought back ideas from these other potteries to Della Robbia on his return – such as the slip trailed decoration on the rim of this plate that Collis learnt at Doulton. Following the closure of Della Robbia, Collis spent some time at the Buckley Pottery in north Wales, but for the latter part of his career worked as a signwriter in Birkenhead.
Marks and inscriptions
Underside of base: C (for Charles Collis) D [ship] R (workshop mark, Della Robbia) 905
Makers and roles
Della Robbia Pottery , workshop Charles Collis (1837 - 1896), designer
References
Hyland 2013: Peter Hyland, The Della Robbia Pottery, Birkenhead, 1894-1906, Suffolk: Antique Collectors’ Club 2013