Vase and cover
H. Palmer of Hanley
Category
Ceramics
Date
1760 - 1778
Materials
Basaltware
Measurements
325 mm (Height)
Place of origin
Stoke-on-Trent
Order this imageCollection
Saltram, Devon
NT 870772
Summary
A pair of vases and covers, basalt ware, standing on a square plinth, classical form with urn shaped body, distinct shoulder, convex neck and two short upright handles attached at the shoulder, domed cover with acorn knop, Humphrey Palmer, Hanley, Staffordshire, 1760-78; the body moulded with a classical figures including a woman, child and bird to both sides, the handles reeded and with acanthus terminals, border of acanthus moulding at the rim of the cover and foot.
Full description
Humphrey Palmer was Josiah Wedgwood's main rival during the early years of the production of ornamental basalt ware in Staffordshire. This matt, black ceramic was a brand new techical development and was incredibly fashionable. Like Wedgwood, Palmer made decorative vases inspired by those made in ancient Greece and Italy, constantly undercutting his competitor's prices. For a time, John Voyez - who had previously worked for Wedgwood - modelled spectacular vases for Palmer - examples of which are in the Mint Museum in North Carolina and the British Museum..
Provenance
At Saltram by 1957 and given to NT by Montagu Brownlow Parker (1878-1962), 5th Earl of Morley as part of the Endowment
Makers and roles
H. Palmer of Hanley, potter
References
Diana Edwards, 1994, Black Basalt: Wedgwood and Contemporary Manufacturers,, pp. 217-221